Structure and nanomechanical properties of CdTe thin films

PÜRÇEK G., BACAKSIZ E., Miskioglu I.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY, vol.198, pp.202-206, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 198
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.07.005
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.202-206
  • Keywords: CdTe thin film, indentation hardness, elastic modulus, adhesion, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, SOLAR-CELLS, NANOINDENTATION, SUBSTRATE, TEMPERATURE
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

CdTe thin films were produced by vacuum evaporation on glass sheets at substrate temperatures of 100K and 300K. The structural properties of the CdTe thin films were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties (hardness, modulus and coating adhesion) were measured by nanoindenation and scratching techniques. XRD studies showed that the crystallinity of CdTe films improved with increasing substrate temperature. The grain size increased with the increase of substrate temperature and clearly facetted morphology was observed. The indentation hardness and modulus of CdTe thin films decreased with increasing grain size. The hardness and modulus increased gradually with increasing indentation depth due to the substrate effect. The adhesion of the coating increased with decreasing grain size. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.