DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i1.173

Keywords: TMDC materials; electrodeposition; thin film; deposition; photovoltaics

Abstract

Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, convert light through electricity using the photovoltaic effect. Third-generation solar cells utilize advanced thin-film technologies and improved production methods to achieve high efficiency. Molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂) is a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), shows great potential for applications in solar cells, such as Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) and Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC), due to its high electrical conductivity and strong catalytic activity. MoS₂ can be synthesize using two methods: Top-down and bottom-up approaches. The Bottom-up Approach, particularly electrodeposition, is cost-effective and provides better control over the quality and scale of the layers. However, the concentration of the deposition electrolyte in electrodeposition can affect the properties of the resulting thin films. In this study, MoS₂ thin films were made using electrodeposition with different electrolyte concentrations: 5 mM, 10 mM, and 0.1M. These films were then examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy to see how the electrolyte concentration affects their structure, electrochemical properties, and optical properties. The study found that the electrolyte concentration significantly influences the thin film's grain distribution and structure. It also affects the electrochemical properties, such as the rate of electron and mass transfer between the electrode and the electrolyte. Higher concentrations result in faster electron and mass transfer, but lower light absorption and transmission, meaning lower concentrations are better for the film’s optical properties.