Cu–In alloy films were prepared on bare or Mo-coated glass by co-sputtering from Cu and
In targets at ambient temperature. The formation of CuInS2 films was accomplished by
sulfurization within a graphite container under high S vapor pressure. X-ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis of the alloy films showed predominant variation of the phases from In→CuIn2→Cu11In9 as the Cu content in the films increased. The sulfurized In-rich films formed
the CuIn5S8 phase that steadily transformed into CuInS2 as film composition changed
toward the Cu-rich region. SEM analysis showed different morphologies for the CuIn5S8 and
CuInS2 films. Cu-rich films exhibited very dense crystal structures. EDX composition
measurements on the films showed Cu/(Cu+In) varying from 0.21 to 0.64 and S/(Cu+In)
from 0.80 to 1.36. Resistivities in the range of 2.36 to 1.7×108 Ω·cm were obtained. Studies
of the growth mechanism indicated formation of CuIn5S8 as the main secondary phase in
both Cu-rich and In-rich films at low temperatures before conversion into CuInS2 at
temperatures >400°C.
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