Patent ID: 7776203

Claim:
A method of producing a I-III-VI y compound in thin film form, in which y is close to 2, by electrochemistry, comprising: a) providing an electrolysis bath comprising an element I compound, at least one element VI compound and at least one element III compound dissolved in the electrolysis bath and at least two electrodes immersed in the electrolysis bath; and, b) applying a potential difference between the two electrodes to initiate formation of a thin film of I-III-VI y on the surface of one of the electrodes, wherein the electrolysis bath further comprises at least one surfactant to promote incorporation of the element III compound into the film, and wherein the element I compound comprises copper, gold or silver, the at least one element III compound comprises boron, aluminum, gallium, indium or thallium and the at least one element VI compound comprises oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium or polonium.