Electrochemical synthesis, cathodoluminescence, and optical absorption of CdS and Cd1–хZnхS (0 < x ≤ 0.017) films

Using electrochemical deposition from an aqueous solution of Na 2 S 2 O 3 and CdSO 4 , with a cadmium anode, we have grown CdS films on tin dioxide substrates (cathode). The CdS films have been shown to be polycrystalline, with the wurtzite structure. From the optical absorption and cathodoluminescence spectra of the films, we have determined their band gap at 298 and 78 K. With a zinc anode, we obtained polycrystalline Cd 1– х Zn х S (0 < x ≤ 0.017) films with the wurtzite structure. The Cd 0.983 Zn 0.017 S films have a larger band gap and higher luminescence intensity than do the CdS films.