This work describes microstructural and physical changes in cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films, resulting from a heat treatment carried out in the presence of CdCl2. This was accomplished by depositing a CdCl2 film on the surface of CdS films, prior to the treatment. The deposition of CdCl2 and the heat treatment were carried out inside a close spaced sublimation system (CSS). The results showed that temperatures above 400 ºC promote crystallization of CdS films. Variations in the bandgap energy were also observed, which were ascribed to the phase transformations that occurred in the films.
solar cells; CdS; heat treatment; CdCl2
