Yunpeng Wen^1,*, Bingyang Ke², Junrong Ding³

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.076587 - 26 January 2026

Abstract This study reports an active learning (AL)-guided strategy to optimize the sulfurization–selenization processing conditions of Sb₂(S,Se)₃ thin-film photovoltaic absorbers for enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). By coupling Gaussian process modeling with iterative experimental feedback, we explored 20 targeted annealing conditions across the full compositional spectrum (x = 0–1) and identified an optimal S/(S + Se) ratio of 0.40 (x = 0.60), which yielded a band gap (Eg) of ~1.34 eV, close to the theoretical Shockley–Queisser optimum. The optimized process employed a controlled two-step 420°C anneal with sequential H₂Se→H₂S exposure, which produced large plate-like grains (300–500 nm)… More >

Hameed H. Ahmed¹, Thaer A. Mezher^2,*, Marwan R. Rashid³

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.12, pp. 1055-1066, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2212.1055 - 10 December 2025

Abstract Laser ablation in liquids (LAL), a hygienic and effective method for creating high-purity nanomaterials, was used in this study to create cadmium sulfide (CdS) and silver oxide (Ag₂O) nanoparticles. The sputtering process was used to deposit the produced nanomaterials on porous silicon (PSi) substrates, and a number of assays were used to examine the samples’ structural, optical, and electrical characteristics. The CdS sample had a hexagonal crystal structure, according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, whereas the AgO sample had a cubic structure. The diameters of the nanoparticles in the two samples ranged from 22.64 nm for… More >

P. Kaushik^a,*, A. Devi^b, H. Singh^a

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.3, pp. 197-204, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.223.197

Abstract The structural properties of bulk as well as thin films of nanostructured Bi₁Te₁₅Se_84-x Pb_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 8) glassy alloys has been studied in this paper. Conventional melt quenching method is employed to prepare the samples of Bi₁Te₁₅Se_84-x Pb_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 8) alloys. Thin films with thickness of approximately 158nm of the obtained bulk compositions were deposited on dry cleaned glass substrates by thermal evaporation technique. The structural characterization was carried out using XRD and SEM. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) indicates that samples are nearly stoichiometric. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that they are More >

S. Çelik^a,*, M. Temiz^b

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.1, pp. 89-96, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.221.89

Abstract In this study, PbZnS thin films with varying concentrations of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were successfully produced using the spray pyrolysis method. The structural, optical and surface properties of the films were systematically investigated as a function of the Pb/Zn ratio. Xray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the films, showing a cubic zinc blende structure with improved crystallinity as Pb content increased. Initially, with the increase in Pb concentration, larger crystallite sizes and decreased microstress were observed, but with the increase of Pb addition, the formation of secondary phases and the… More >

R. I. Jasim^a, E. H. Hadi^a, A. A. Mansour^b, S. A. Hussein^c, S. S. Chiad^a,*, N. F. Habubi^d, Y. H. Kadhim^e, M. Jadan^f,g

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.1, pp. 43-55, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.221.43

Abstract Using chemical bath deposition (CBD) methods and various molarities, nanostructured CdS thin films were developed. XRD assured that these films were cubic polycrystalline, containing larger grains as the solution's concentration of cadmium ions increased. Dislocation density values dropped from 79.32 to 62.90 as a result, nevertheless. Also, the strain is lowered from 30.88 to 27.50. AFM results demonstrate that these films suffer a decrease in the value of average particle size, root mean square, and roughness with the molarity concentration. SEM images show CdS thin films at various molarities (0.10, 0.15, 0.20) M, indicating reduced More >

K. Kannan^a,*, B. Manjunatha^b, T. Marimuthu^c, P. Sangeetha^d

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.2, pp. 167-175, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.222.167

Abstract Cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films are extensively utilized as a window layer in photovoltaic (PV) devices due to their high transmittance, suitable bandgap, and favorable electrical properties. This work presents a comprehensive performance analysis of CdS based thin films in PV applications, examining key factors such as optical, electrical, and structural properties. The bandgap (approximately 2.42 eV) allows effective photon transmission, reducing energy losses. Critical performance metrics, including film thickness, grain size, crystallinity, and interface quality with the absorber layer, are optimized to enhance charge separation and minimize recombination losses. The study highlights the balance More >

F. Saker^a,*, L. Remache^a, D. Belfennache^b, K. R. Chebouki^a, R. Yekhlef^b

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.2, pp. 151-166, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.222.151

Abstract In this work the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method was used to synthesize Cadmium sulphide (CdS) thin films on glass, silicon (Si), and porous silicon (PSi) substrates. The PSi substrates were prepared by an electrochemical etching method using different current densities at constant etching time of 5 minutes. The CdS thin films were characterized using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), optical transmittance spectroscopy in the Uv visible range, and electrical characterization (I–V characteristics). The obtained results demonstrated that the morphology of the deposited materials was influenced by the… More >

A. G. Kumar^a,*, V. K. V. Krishna^b, A. P. Lingaswamy^c, S. Masma^d, G. Prathibha^e, G. Sujatha^f, P. S. Kumar^g, T. V. Kumar^h, J. V. V. N. K. Raoⁱ, B. H. Rao^a

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.2, pp. 143-149, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.222.143

Abstract SnS thin films doped with two atomic % Ag are deposited on a pyrex glass substrates using chemical bath deposition method. The impact of 2 atomic % silver doping on the physical properties of SnS thin films is studied. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that the deposited SnS films were of α-SnS phase with an orthorhombic crystal structure, which remained stable despite the addition of 2 at.% silver. It is observed that the addition of 2 atomic % silver to SnS chemical bath solution does not greatly influence the structural properties of SnS thin film. The More >

A. Ledesma-Juárez^a, J. F. Quintero-Guerrero^b, A. M. Fernández^a,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.2, pp. 97-108, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.222.97

Abstract The evaporation technique fabricates solar cells using the Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) absorber. This technique has strong limitations in preparing this absorber in a large area, necessitating the electrodeposition technique. However, the morphology and crystallinity of this absorber need to be sufficiently adequate to guarantee proper collection of charge carriers since a cauliflower-type growth is favored. This underscores the need for modifications during the synthesis, thermal treatments, and post-synthesis to improve the morphology and crystallinity, a complex and significant aspect of our research. This work discusses the structural, atomic composition, morphological, and optical results obtained for samples More >

A. S. Alqarni^a,, S. N. Alamri^b,

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.5, pp. 493-506, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.225.493

Abstract Abundant and environmentally friendly solar cells materials Cu₂AlSnS₄ (CATS) thin film successively prepared by electron beam deposition system. The impact of various deposition times and post-annealing at 450 °C under nitrogen gas atmosphere on the structures, morphologies, and spectroscopic characteristics of the obtained CATS films were investigated. Both deposition time variation and annealing process were found to significantly affect the crystallinity, bonding vibration, surface morphology, energy band gaps, and Urbach energy of the CATS films. EDX spectra of the films disclosed the existence of all constituents’ elements. XRD analysis of the post-annealed films verified their multiple More >