Low cost nanostructure kesterite CZTS thin films for solar cells application

Mahajan, Sandip; Σταθάτος, Ηλίας; Huse, Nanasaheb P.; Birajdar, Ravikiran; Kalarakis, A. N.; Sharma, Ramphal

doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2017.09.001

Cited by 34 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The low performance of this parameter can be related to the detrimental double-layer morphology and incomplete grain growth of the kesterite. Although in general the efficiency values are modest, they are above the average value of efficiencies reported for kesterite solar cells on transparent or semi-transparent substrates [26,[48][49][50]. It can be seen that Na-doping with an intermediate PDA temperature of 300 • C gathers the best PV parameters, reaching an efficiency of 3%.…”

Section: Na Doped Samplesmentioning

confidence: 70%

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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Section: Na Doped Samplesmentioning

confidence: 70%

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

et al. 2022

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“…FTO conducting substrate is compact having uniform morphology and pleasant interface with CZTS materials [87]. Therefore, the conventional Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrate of the conventional device structure is supplanted by FTO-coated glass substrate [88][89][90]. Firstly, TCO window layer is deposited on FTO-coated substrate.…”

Section: Using Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (Fto)-coated Glassmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Status Review on Cu₂ZnSn(S, Se)₄-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells

Saha

2020

International Journal of Photoenergy

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Photovoltaics has become a significant branch of next-generation sustainable energy production. Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 (copper-zinc-tin-(sulfur, selenium) or CZTS(Se)) is considered one of the most promising, earth-abundant, and nontoxic candidates for solar energy generation over the last decade. However, shallow phase stability of the quaternary phase and the presence of various secondary phases and defects are the main hindrances in achieving the target device performance. This paper summarizes various approaches to synthesize the CZTS absorber layer and the CdS n-type material layer. Besides, different CZTS solar cell device structures, as well as a comprehensive review of secondary phases and defects, have been illustrated and discussed. At last, this review is intended to highlight the current challenges and prospects of CZTS solar cells.

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“…Stacking of two layers is more time consuming and difficult for industrial applications. But single step SILAR is extremely challenging for the deposition of quaternary material because of the differential absorptivities of the cations [23,24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards phase pure CZTS thin films by SILAR method with augmented Zn adsorption for photovoltaic applications

Krishnan

Ali

Geetha

et al. 2019

Mater Renew Sustain Energy

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Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin films were deposited from a single cationic bath by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method. Regular SILAR route for CZTS had the drawback of preferential adsorption of copper and tin cations in comparison with zinc. This resulted in Cu 3 SnS 4 (CTS) and Cu 2 S phases rather than phase pure CZTS films. A modified SILAR route, with a separate bath for Zn 2+ ions, circumvented the difficulty and hence led to phase pure CZTS thin films. UV-visible absorption spectra of the CZTS thin films showed absorption coefficients of ~ 10 4 cm −1 and a band gap of 1.5 eV. Combined van der Pauw and Hall measurements of CZTS thin films showed a resistivity of approximately 1.51 × 10 2 Ωcm, carrier density of ~ 1.28 × 10 17 cm −3 , and mobility ~ 0.32 cm 2 V −1 s −1. A completely solution processed P-N junction was fabricated and characterized by forming glass/FTO/TiO 2 /CdS/CZTS multilayer.

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Low cost nanostructure kesterite CZTS thin films for solar cells application

Cited by 34 publications

References 21 publications

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

A Status Review on Cu₂ZnSn(S, Se)₄-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells

Towards phase pure CZTS thin films by SILAR method with augmented Zn adsorption for photovoltaic applications

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Low cost nanostructure kesterite CZTS thin films for solar cells application

Cited by 34 publications

References 21 publications

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells

A Status Review on Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells

Towards phase pure CZTS thin films by SILAR method with augmented Zn adsorption for photovoltaic applications

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cells

A Status Review on Cu₂ZnSn(S, Se)₄-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells