CdTebased
CdTe-based materials refer to compounds built from cadmium telluride (CdTe) and are used primarily in two areas: thin-film photovoltaics and radiation detection. In photovoltaics, CdTe serves as the light-absorbing layer in CdTe solar cells, offering strong absorption and a direct bandgap around 1.45 eV, which is near optimal for converting sunlight into electricity.
Most CdTe solar cells employ a CdS window layer to form a heterojunction with CdTe. Common device
Beyond photovoltaics, CdTe and related alloys are used in radiation detectors, often operating at room temperature.
Safety and environmental concerns surround cadmium-containing materials. Cadmium is toxic, so handling, containment, and end-of-life recycling