Thermally evaporated CdTe thin films for solar cell applications: Optimization of physical properties

•Deposited films are polycrystalline in nature with a cubic zinc-blende structure.•Highest crystallite size, lowest strain and dislocation density was found at 250°C.•Lowest Urbach energy and optical constants were found at 250°C.•Electrical resistivity decreases with etching.•Superior structural and optical properties for films fabricated at 250°C.