What Is Cadmium Telluride?
A stable crystalline compound made of cadmium and tellurium is called cadmium telluride (CdTe). It is mostly utilized as an infrared optical window and a semiconducting component in cadmium telluride photovoltaics. To create a p-n junction solar photovoltaic cell, cadmium sulfide is often placed between them. The principal applications for this crystalline compound are as a component of solar cells and as an infrared optical window. It is ideally suited for the conversion of solar energy. As cadmium is present, cadmium telluride is extremely poisonous.
What Are the Uses of Cadmium Telluride?
Despite its toxicity, this substance is utilized in several industrial processes. As a result, cadmium telluride has a variety of applications, including:
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Solar Cells: It creates extremely affordable and efficient thin film solar cells. Its physical qualities are perfect for this use. This substance was used in around 6 percent of all solar cells deployed in 2010. This compound's band gap can be easily improved by utilizing various low-cost techniques. In 2010, solar cells with a 1.5 GWP (global warming potential) capacity were made using this material. Tellurium, one of the rarest elements on earth, might become scarce due to the growing usage of cadmium telluride in solar cells.
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Optical Windows and Lenses: It is occasionally employed as an optical material for infrared optical windows and lenses. The toxicity of this chemical, however, restricts the scope of this use. This substance was formerly sold under the trademark "Irtran-6."
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Electro-Optic Modulators: Electro-optic modulators change a laser beam's power. Cadmium telluride crystal has the highest electro-optic coefficient of linear electro-optic effect. As a result, electro-optic modulators can utilize it.
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Radiation Detectors: Cadmium telluride has been doped with chlorine as a radiation detector for alpha and beta particles, X-rays, and gamma rays. Since it operates at room temperature, it has several uses in nuclear spectroscopy. High-performance X-ray and gamma-ray detectors may be made using this material because of the broadband gap, strong atomic number, and high electron mobility.
What Are the Benefits of Cadmium Telluride?
Cadmium telluride is one of the most beneficial substances utilized in several sectors. This crystalline substance is beneficial for numerous applications due to its various benefits. Despite these drawbacks, it is frequently utilized for a variety of objectives.
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Compared to solar cells and other cadmium telluride technologies, cadmium and tellurium are far less expensive. Tellurium is less accessible than cadmium, nevertheless.
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Compared to many other materials of a similar kind, the production procedure is easier.
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Compared to silicon panels, it can capture energy at a lower wavelength.
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Another benefit of this substance is the quantity of cadmium. It is simple to create cadmium as a by-product of other significant metals, such as zinc.
What Are the Hazardous Effects of Cadmium Telluride?
Cadmium is one of the six most hazardous substances known to humans. It is the primary reason why cadmium telluride is hazardous. However, compared to cadmium metal, this chemical is significantly less hazardous. The hazardous qualities of this cadmium-tellurium combination are due to another factor. One study claims that the high reactivity of this chemical causes oxygen damage to the mitochondria, nucleus, and membrane of live cells. Usually, the hazardous cadmium chloride solution re-crystallizes from the cadmium telluride films.
What Are the First Aid Measures to Be Taken on Accidental Exposure to Cadmium Telluride?
First-Aid Techniques
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Eye Contact: In the event of direct eye contact, it may result in significant eye discomfort. Contact lenses should be taken out, and the eyes should be thoroughly rinsed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. It is crucial to seek emergency medical attention.
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Skin Contact: The victim must wash the contaminated area with plenty of water and disinfect it with soap. Before reusing, contaminated clothing and footwear should be removed and thoroughly cleaned. Exposure that is prolonged or frequent might potentially result in dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Therefore, one should seek medical help right away.
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Inhalation: Inhalation of cadmium telluride can cause respiratory system irritation and exhaustion. Remove the sufferer to a new environment. Belts, ties, and other items of restrictive clothing should be loosened. If the sufferer has respiratory problems, oxygen or artificial respiration should be given. For the person administering the help, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation would be dangerous, so avoiding it is better. In cases of acute exposure, the tellurium concentration might result in a garlic-like taste in the breath and sweat. Additionally, it may result in dry mouth, appetite loss, drowsiness, and nausea. Even mortality and pulmonary edema are possible outcomes of severe inhalation. Therefore, there is an immediate need for medical care.
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Ingestion: Accidental intake of this poisonous substance can result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. A garlic-like smell in the breath and sweat are possible side effects of acute intake. Inducing vomiting without competent medical direction is not advised. To dilute the poison, the person should ingest one to two glasses of water. If the person is unconscious, nothing should ever be given to them by mouth. It is critical to get medical attention as soon as one can.
What Safety Measures to Be Taken to Prevent Cadmium Telluride Toxicity?
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Personal Security Measures: It is recommended to wear a lab coat authorized by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), a dust respirator, protective gloves, and safety eyewear while working.
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Measures for Fire Accidents: It is a material that does not burn. But when heated, it disintegrates and releases poisonous vapors. Therefore, firefighters should use the appropriate protective clothing, breathing apparatus, and firefighting gear when putting out a fire surrounding it.
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Storage Guidance: It should be kept in cold, dry, and well-ventilated locations in firmly shut containers.
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Measure for Accidental Release: To stop the spilled substance from spreading to a larger area, it should be covered with dry sand. The spill should be transported to a metal container that is clearly marked and securely closed. Finally, the spilled area has to be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water.
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Waste Management: To dispose of this dangerous substance, one should research applicable local, state, and federal legislation.
Conclusion
Cadmium telluride must be handled cautiously since it is a dangerous chemical. To avoid unintentional exposures, proper precautions and professional guidance are required. Employees should also receive training in first aid administration and managing hazardous chemicals.
