The effects of the precursors K2Cr2O7 and NH4I on the composition, morphology and dark resistance of photosensitive elements based on PbS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33910/2687-153X-2025-7-1-22-30

Keywords:

lead sulfide, thin films, morphology, chemical deposition method, photosensitive elements

Abstract

The results of structural, morphological, and chemical compositional studies of photosensitive elements based on lead sulfide (PbS) thin films are presented. The films were obtained by chemical bath deposition in the presence of one (potassium dichromate — K2Cr2O7) or two (ammonium iodide — NH4I together with K2Cr2O7) precursors. The data obtained from scanning electron and atomic force microscopy show that the surface of samples deposited in the presence of only K2Cr2O7 consists of crystallites ranging in size from 300 to 900 nm, with a cubic facet. Adding NH4I to the reaction bath results in a reduction in grain size (more than 75% of the surface consists of crystallites between 100 and 325 nm) and in the appearance of two percent of nanoscale structures (up to 100 nm). At the same time, the surface morphology becomes smoother. It has been established that iodine and its compounds lead to a significant increase in dark resistance (by 10...250 times), which in turn ensures an increase in film sensitivity.

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Published

30.03.2026

Issue

Section

Physics of Semiconductors