Analytical characterization of cadmium cyanamide in CdS thin films and bulk precipitates produced from CBD process in pilot plant

CdS thin films and bulk precipitates were obtained by chemical bath deposition (CBD) in a well-closed reactor. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, elemental analysis and leaching have been used to characterize solids and thin films. It has been shown that the proportion of cadmium cyanamide in solids may vary from about 50% to 2% according to physicochemical conditions in solution (time after CBD, ammonia concentration) and that CdO results from CdCN₂ after air annealing of thin films. This last step also increases the crystallinity of the films.