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Physics of Metals and Metallography

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05-02-2024 | STRUCTURE, PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS, AND DIFFUSION

Comprehensive Review on CdTe Crystals: Growth, Properties, and Photovoltaic Application

Authors: Bibin John, S. Varadharajaperumal

Published in: Physics of Metals and Metallography | Issue 14/2023

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Abstract

Despite the deep interest of materials scientists in cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystal growth, there is no single source to which the researchers can turn towards for comprehensive knowledge of CdTe compound semiconductor synthesis protocols, physical properties and performance. Considering this, the present review work focuses to bridge this shortcoming. The direct band gap (E_g) CdTe crystals have been in limelight in photovoltaic application (PV) since the optoelectronic properties such as E_g (1.49 eV), absorption coefficient (~10⁵ cm^–1), p-type conductivity, carrier concentration (6 × 10¹⁶ cm^–3) and mobility (1040 cm²/(V s)) at the room temperature are reported that optimum for solar cells. Additionally, Cd-based compounds such as CdTe and CdZnTe have also been widely studied in the field of α and γ-ray radiation detector, because of their extraordinary advantages like large atomic number, low weight, high mechanical hardness, flexibility, and the availability of the constituent materials. CdTe has demerits like toxicity and high melting temperature, which will complicate the growth of stoichiometric cadmium telluride crystals at high temperatures. In this regard, the review work focused the periodic evolution of the growth protocols until now. The different synthesis methods, characterization, and recent progress in the field of crystalline CdTe were discussed briefly. Important optical and electrical characteristics are presented in the tables and remaining issues have discussed, this could be looked into for further research. The applications of CdTe crystals for photovoltaic fields are also discussed in this review paper.

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Title: Comprehensive Review on CdTe Crystals: Growth, Properties, and Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Bibin John
S. Varadharajaperumal
Publication date: 05-02-2024
Publisher: Pleiades Publishing
Published in: Physics of Metals and Metallography / Issue 14/2023
Print ISSN: 0031-918X
Electronic ISSN: 1555-6190
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X2110094X

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