Effect of electrodeposition potential on composition and morphology of CIGS absorber thin film

Abstract

CuInGaSe (CIGS) thin films were deposited on Mo/soda-lime glass substrates by electrodeposition at different potentials ranging from −0•3 to −1•1 V vs Ag/AgCl. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies of unitary Cu, Ga, In and Se systems, binary Cu-Se, Ga-Se and In-Se systems and quaternary Cu-In-Ga-Se were carried out to understand the mechanism of deposition of each constituent. Concentration of the films was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Structure and morphology of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The underpotential deposition mechanism of Cu-Se and In-Se phases was observed in voltammograms of binary and quaternary systems. Variation in composition with applied potentials was explained by cyclic voltammetry (CV) data. A suitable potential range from −0•8 to −1•0 V was found for obtaining films with desired and stable stoichiometry. In the post-annealing films, chalcopyrite structure starts forming in the samples deposited at −0•5 V and grows on varying the applied potential towards negative direction. By adjusting the composition of electrolyte, we obtained the desired stoichiometry of Cu(In 0•7 Ga 0•3)Se 2 .

Optimizing Cigs Solar Cell Performance: The Impact of Counter Electrode on Electrodeposition Methods

“…4 (a and b), the surface of the CIGS solar cells produced tends to be rough and irregular, and the grains formed are also not uniform. The tendency for the sample surface to be rough and have irregular grains is caused by the element being dominated by indium (In) content, which pushes the boundaries between the grains to merge [14], [24]. This is confirmed by Table 2, which shows that the indium (In) content is quite dominant in the CIGS solar cells produced.…”

“…Electrodeposition works based on the principle of electrolysis, namely using an electric current to reduce the cations of the desired material from the electrolyte and coating the material as a thin layer onto the surface of a conductive substrate [10], [11]. In previous research, CIGS only focused on the materials used [12], [13] and variations in the potential input applied [14]. In contrast, one crucial factor that influences the performance of the electrodeposition process is the counter electrode because the counter electrode plays a role in completing the circuit and ensuring the charge flows [10], [15].…”

Mechanical Perturbations at the Working Electrode to Materials Synthesis by Electrodeposition

“…It is incorporated as gallium selenide and GaO 3 [25]. The CIGS film morphology obtained by the one-step electrodeposition with potentiostat mode has been described as nodules with a cauliflower-like growth [22,26]. The as-electrodeposited CIGS film morphology is strongly influenced by the bath composition.…”

Comparison between thin‐film solar cells and copper–indium–gallium–diselenide in Southeast Asia

“…These show the positive impact that made by Southeast Asia countries. Thus, besides Malaysia, other Southeast Asia countries also have done researches on CIGS thin-film solar cells, such as Thailand and Vietnam as can be seen in Tables 9 and 10, respectively [140][141][142][143].…”