Arduino Controlled Photoelectrochemical Cell Instrument for Measuring Semiconductor Electrical Conductivity Type
Olusola O. I
Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria.
Fasaanu O. G *
Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study presents the development of an Arduino-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell instrument for determining semiconductor conductivity types. Integrating nine functional units, including sensing, storage, and display modules, the device automates data collection under light (VL) and dark (VD) conditions. It was programmed with C++ language on the Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller using its integrated development environment (IDE). Several PEC cell measurement were performed by using various counter electrodes, copper, carbon and zinc, and zinc selenide (ZnSe) samples grown at different deposition potentials which serve as semiconducting electrodes. Results from ZnSe samples demonstrated p-type and n-type classifications, validated against standard instruments with high accuracy. This innovation provides a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for semiconductor analysis in academic and research settings.
Keywords: Photoelectrochemical cell, arduino-microcontroller, semiconductors, voltage