Effects of temperature and ph variations on electrochemically-deposited zirconium-doped zinc selenide thin films

Zinc selenide materials doped with zirconium were successfully synthesized by electrochemical deposition at different temperature and pH variations. The morphology, structure, composition of elements, behavior in light, and electrical characteristics of the synthesized materials were obtained through the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer, and a four-point probe device respectively. The morphology and structure of the films showed nanoclusters and crystalline features. The basic elemental constituents of the synthesized films were revealed. High absorbance and electrically conductive nature of the samples were also observed, alongside reducing band gap energy values at decreasing temperature values and increasing pH values. The synthesized zinc selenide films find potential applications in optical and photovoltaic devices.