Growth, characterization and fabrication of n-WSe2 PEC solar cells

Single crystals of n-WSe2 have been grown by the chemical vapour transport (CVT) technique, using Br2, TeCl4, and SeCl4 as transporters. Crystal lattice parameters have been determined for all the crystals grown above with an X-ray diffractometer. The composition of the above crystals were examined by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Optical and some electical transport measurements are carried out to judge the semiconducting nature of the as-grown crystals. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cells were fabricated by using these crystals as photoelectrodes and platinum grid as counter electrode in an aqueous iodine/iodide solution. Some of the PEC cell parameters were determined. The results thus obtained have been discussed in detail. (author)