Modulation of the band gap of tungsten oxide thin films through mixing with cadmium telluride towards photovoltaic applications

•Band gap of thermally-evaporated WO3 thin films was modulated by mixing with CdTe.•We accomplished wide band gap tunability by 0.83eV of the alloyed films.•Our results showed that a wider portion of the visible spectrum can be harvested.•The photocurrent response increased significantly with CdTe concentration.•Therefore, the alloyed films are suitable for photovoltaic applications.