A simple method for Ge incorporation to enhance performance of low temperature and non-vacuum based CZTSSe solar cells

Punathil, Prabeesh; Artegiani, Elisa; Zanetti, Solidea; Lozzi, L.; Kumar, Varun

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2022.03.027

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The search for reliable alternatives to the currently leading absorber materials for thin-film photovoltaic solar cells is very active. In order to replace silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), researchers are exploring materials that are cheaper, contain low-toxic and earth-abundant elements and have a high conversion efficiency [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Spaggiari

Bersani

Calestani

et al. 2022

IJMS

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Copper-doped antimony selenide (Cu-doped Sb2Se3) thin films were deposited as absorber layers in photovoltaic solar cells using the low-temperature pulsed electron deposition (LT-PED) technique, starting from Sb2Se3 targets where part of the Sb was replaced with Cu. From a crystalline point of view, the best results were achieved for thin films with about Sb1.75Cu0.25Se3 composition. In order to compare the results with those previously obtained on undoped thin films, Cu-doped Sb2Se3 films were deposited both on Mo- and Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrates, which have different influences on the film crystallization and grain orientation. From the current-voltage analysis it was determined that the introduction of Cu in the Sb2Se3 absorber enhanced the open circuit voltage (VOC) up to remarkable values higher than 500 mV, while the free carrier density became two orders of magnitude higher than in pure Sb2Se3-based solar cells.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Spaggiari

Bersani

Calestani

et al. 2022

IJMS

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“…Second, the importance of elemental dynamics and the physical state in the growth of kesterite compounds has been largely put in evidence for sequential vacuum processes, namely leading to back surface delamination and void formation. 47,48,54,57,59,62,63,67,68,70,73,75,76 In contrast, this is much less observed for Ge-alloyed kesterites processed in ambient solution, 94,108,114 with adapted solutions to be implemented already at the precursor level. 107 Third, mixing sulfur and selenium is particularly challenging to be realized in the gas phase, 37 given the much higher volatility of the former, which may be resolved more easily when already integrated at the precursor level in the liquid or solid phase as for solution-based processing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7(a)), and Ge-containing chlorine-based solution drop cast during annealing. 114 In all these references, effective Ge inclusion is reported (Fig. 7(b)), by substitution onto Sn sites and/or under the form of oxides.…”

Section: Non-vacuum-based Depositionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Ge-alloyed kesterite thin-film solar cells: previous investigations and current status – a comprehensive review

et al. 2023

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“…Another advantage of the proposed method compared to other PDT treatments is that it is not necessary to introduce a new process step to deposit the alkali source (like NaF or KF evaporation steps). The doping from the CBD solution could give also a better homogeneity if compared to other solution-based procedures, such as for instance the drop-casting approach, recently reported for CZTSSe devices [51].…”

Section: Na Doped Samplesmentioning

confidence: 98%

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

et al. 2022

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The addition of alkali elements has become mandatory for boosting solar cell performance in chalcogenide thin films based on kesterites (Cu2ZnSnS4, CZTS). A novel doping process is presented here, that consists in the incorporation of sodium or lithium during the deposition of the CdS buffer layer, followed by a Post-Deposition Annealing (PDA). As the doping route leads to more efficient devices in comparison with the undoped reference sample, the influence of PDA temperature was also investigated. Compositional profiling techniques (TOF-SIMS and GDOES) revealed a dependence of the alkaline distribution in kesterites with the PDA temperature. Although the doping process is effective in that it increases the alkaline concentration compared to the undoped sample, the compositional profiles indicate that a significant proportion of Li and Na remains "trapped" within the CdS layer. In the 200-300 ᵒC range the alkali profiles registered the higher concentration inside the kesterite. Despite this, an additional alkali accumulation close to the Mo/FTO substrate was found for all the samples, which is frequently related to alkali segregation at interfaces. The addition of both, lithium and sodium, improves the photovoltaic response compared to the undoped reference device. This is mainly explained by a substantial improvement in the open-circuit potential (Voc) of the cells, with best devices achieving efficiencies of 4.5% and 3% for lithium and sodium, respectively. SEM images depicted a “bilayer structure” with larger grains at the top and small grains at the bottom in all samples. Moreover, the calculated bandgap energies of the CZTS films account for changes in the crystallographic order-disorder of the kesterites, more related to the PDA treatment rather than alkali incorporation. Even if further optimization of the absorber synthesis and doping process will be required, this investigation allowed the evaluation of a novel strategy for alkali incorporation in kesterite based solar cells.

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A simple method for Ge incorporation to enhance performance of low temperature and non-vacuum based CZTSSe solar cells

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Ge-alloyed kesterite thin-film solar cells: previous investigations and current status – a comprehensive review

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

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A simple method for Ge incorporation to enhance performance of low temperature and non-vacuum based CZTSSe solar cells

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Exploring Cu-Doping for Performance Improvement in Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Ge-alloyed kesterite thin-film solar cells: previous investigations and current status – a comprehensive review

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells

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A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells