This paper presents a combinatorial method for the deposition andcharacterization of new metallic precursors for photovoltaic materials.Onedimensional thin film alloy “libraries” were electrodeposited on Mo-coatedglass. The library elements were deposited in two consecutive baths and thenheated in a reducing atmosphere to promote interdiffusion of the elements. Atthe end of this process, the libraries possessed a composition gradient alongtheir lengths, with single elements at their two opposite ends and one or morealloys and/or a solid state solution in between. This continuous range ofcompositions can therefore be considered a collection of specific precursorsthat can be interrogated by examining their corresponding locations, with thecrystallographic structure along the library changing in accordance with thephase diagram for the metals. The libraries were then sulphurised or selenisedby heating in a sulphur-rich or selenium rich atmosphere; this converted themetallic precursors in a continuous range of materials, candidates for potentialsolar cells absorbers. The libraries were analysed by X-ray diffraction andenergy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The X-ray diffraction results show phasechanges across the libraries, which can be correlated with the originalprecursor concentration at that particular po
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