Abstract

Nano-structured thin films of cadmium sulfide (CdS) have been wet chemically deposited on soda lime glass substrate and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated conducting glass substrates by using non-ionic surfactant; Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). The structural, optical and surface morphological properties of the CdS films were investigated through the analysis of the x-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These results revealed that the films are polycrystalline, consisting of CdS cubic phase. The films show a direct band gap with energy 2.44 eV. The SEM images show interconnected nano-plates like morphology with well-defined surface area. Finally, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of HMTA mediated CdS thin film samples was studied. The sample shows PEC performance with maximum short circuit current density of (I sc ) 1.25 mA/cm 2 .