A stable photo-electrochemical solar cell employing a CdSe photoanode

Low temperature methods of producing thin coatings of cadmium selenide on a steel substrate are described. These coatings are suitable for solar to electrical energy conversion and have been used in a photoelectrochemical cell employing a cadmium selenide-stabilizing redox couple, which converts sunlight to electricity at a 1% power conversion efficiency without deterioration of the CdSe photoanode.Possible improvements in the coating quality and cell design are considered, and the eventual attainment of a 4% conversion efficiency is considered feasible.