US4253919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrodeposition of cadmium-selenium semiconducting photoelectrodes from an acid citrate bath
Assignee: Huntington Alloys Corp
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Filing: 1980-01-21
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Granted: 1981-03-03
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Expires: 2000-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A process for electrodepositing cadmium and selenium onto a material suitable for use as a photoelectrode in a photovoltaic cell. The plating electrolyte, in one embodiment, consists essentially of an acid citrate bath including hydrated citric acid, hydrated sodium citrate, hydrated cadmium chloride and selenious acid. The deposit may be subsequently heat treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale E. Hall
- 👤 William D. K. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/125; C; C25; C25D; C25D3/00; C25D3/02; C25D3/56; C25D9/00; C25D9/04; C25D9/08; H01; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/20; H10P14/26; H10P14/265; H10P14/29; H10P14/2901; H10P14/2923; H10P14/34; H10P14/3402; H10P14/3424; H10P14/3431; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A process for codepositing cadmium-selenium onto a cathodic substrate, the process which comprises placing the cathodic substrate into an acid citrate bath, introducing cadmium and selenium ions into the bath, and passing an electric current through the bath so as to plate the cadmium and selenium onto the cathodic substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for codepositing cadmium-selenium onto a cathodic substrate, the process which comprises placing the cathodic substrate into an acid citrate bath, introducing cadmium and selenium ions into the bath, and passing an electric current through the bath so as to plate the cadmium and selenium onto the cathodic substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the pH of the bath is maintained between approximately 1 to 3 pH units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the bath comprises citric acid and metal citrate salts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein cadmium and selenium act as actively corroding anodes in the bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein an inert material acts as a current collector in the bath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein cadmium is introduced into the bath in the form of a cadmium salt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein selenium is introduced into the bath in the form of selenious acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein selenium is introduced into the bath in the form of selenium dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of cadmium to selenium is greater than 5:1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the cathode current density is equal to or greater than 1 mA/cm 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the deposit contains at least 35 weight percent cadmium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the cathodic substrate has sufficiently high electrical conductivity characteristics for use as a photoelectrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 12 wherein the deposit is heat treated to enhance its photocurrent generating capabilities.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for electrodepositing cadmium and selenium onto a cathode, the process which comprises: (a.) preparing an acid citrate plating bath consisting essentially of the following ingredients in approximately the following mole ratios: (1) 0.286 moles/liter of citric acid.H 2 O, (2) 0.272 moles/liter of sodium citrate.2H 2 O, (3) 0.788 moles/liter of cadmium chloride.21/2H 2 O, (4) 0.0186 moles/liter of selenious acid; and (b.) passing an electric current through the bath via the cathode and a current collector so as to deposit the cadmium and selenium onto the cathode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for electrodepositing cadmium and selenium onto a cathode, the process which comprises: (a.) preparing an acid citrate plating bath consisting essentially of the following ingredients in approximately the following mole ratios: (1) 0.286 moles/liter of citric acid.H 2 O, (2) 0.272 moles/liter of sodium citrate.2H 2 O, (3) 0.788 moles/liter of cadmium chloride.21/2H 2 O, (4) 0.0186 moles/liter of selenious acid; and (b.) passing an electric current through the bath via the cathode and a current collector so as to deposit the cadmium and selenium onto the cathode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the pH of the bath is maintained approximately between 1 and 3 pH units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the cathode current density is approximately 3.2 mA/cm 2 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 14 where the deposition is performed for approximately 60 minutes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the temperature of the bath is maintained at approximately 35° C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the cathode deposit is suitable for use as a photoelectrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 19 wherein the cathode substrate is titanium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the deposit is heat treated to enhance its photocurrent generating capabilities.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 21 wherein the deposit is heat treated at a temperature of approximately 550° C. for about 15 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-09-01 | 1985-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-02 | 1988-09-01 | 1989-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-02 | 1992-09-01 | 1993-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |