Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 from CuxSnSy nanoparticle precursors on ZnO nanorod arrays

Abstract

Solar cells with Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 absorber thin films have a potential for high energy conversion efficiencies with earth-abundant and non-toxic elements. In this work the formation of CZTSSe from Cu x SnS y nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays as precursors for zinc is investigated. The NPs are prepared using a chemical route and are dispersed in toluene. The ZnO NRs are grown on fluorine doped SnO 2 coated glass substrates by electro deposition method. A series of samples are annealed at different temperatures between 300 °C and 550 °C in selenium containing argon atmosphere. To investigate the products of the reaction between the precursors the series is analyzed by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology is recorded by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of broken cross sections. The XRD measurements and the SEM images show the disappearing of ZnO NRs with increasing annealing temperature. Simultaneously the XRD and Raman measurements show the formation of CZTSSe. The formation of secondary phases and the optimum conditions for the preparation of CZTSSe is discussed.

Impact of Precursor Compositions on the Structural and Photovoltaic Properties of Spray‐Deposited Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films

“…Figure shows the Raman spectra and XRD patterns of the Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 films fabricated from aqueous precursor solutions with various concentrations of Cu ions. In the Raman spectra, all of the films showed main peaks at 286, 336, and 369 cm −1 corresponding to the kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 crystal . XRD patterns of the films also showed diffraction peaks that could be assigned to Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 in addition to peaks derived from the Mo substrate and its sulfurized form (MoS 2 ).…”

Syntheses of Cu2SnS3 and Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles with tunable Zn/Sn ratios under multibubble sonoluminescence conditions

“…[30][31][32] It is noteworthy that in the spectrum the two other peaks at 351 cm −1 and 273 cm −1 arising from ZnS did not appear, suggesting its absence in the product. 33 However, in the cases of CZTS 1 and 2 samples with relatively low Zn concentrations, there is a peak around 320 cm −1 , which may arise from the kuramite CTS 34 and there is a shoulder present at 331 cm −1 which indicates the kesterite CZTS. It is naturally believed that they include appreciable amounts of the incipient CTS since both CTS and CZTS are in quite similar phases.…”

Defect study of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1−x)4 thin film absorbers using photoluminescence and modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy

“…3 Previously, we have reported synthesis of CZTSSe thin films from binary and ternary chalcogenide nanoparticle precursors. 13,14 Furthermore, we have reported the influence of annealing conditions on the surface photovoltage properties of the resulting CZTSSe thin films. 15 To obtain more fundamental information about CZTSSe thin films, PL spectroscopy combined with surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV) was used to study the defect properties of CZTSSe thin films.…”