Scalably synthesized environmentally benign, aqueous-based binary nanoparticle inks for Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSn(S,Se)<sub>4</sub> photovoltaic cells achieving over 9% efficiency

Kim, Ki Joong; Pan, Changqing; Bansal, Shalu; Malhotra, Rajiv; Kim, Dae Hwan; Chang, Chih Hung

doi:10.1039/c6se00035e

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Also, the presence or absence of the self-limiting behavior seen in IPL of metal NPs has yet to be confirmed in IPL of chalcogenides. The model used to predict temperature evolution needs to be different if there is coupling between the crystal phase and NP densification and optical absorption 3 , 33 , as compared to the conventional thermal model used in literature 6 , 26 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Dexter

Gao

Bansal

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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Intense Pulsed Light sintering (IPL) uses pulsed, visible light to sinter nanoparticles (NPs) into films used in functional devices. While IPL of chalcogenide NPs is demonstrated, there is limited work on prediction of crystalline phase of the film and the impact of optical properties of the substrate. Here we characterize and model the evolution of film temperature and crystalline phase during IPL of chalcogenide copper sulfide NP films on glass. Recrystallization of the film to crystalline covellite and digenite phases occurs at 126 °C and 155 °C respectively within 2–7 seconds. Post-IPL films exhibit p-type behavior, lower resistivity (~10−3–10−4 Ω-cm), similar visible transmission and lower near-infrared transmission as compared to the as-deposited film. A thermal model is experimentally validated, and extended by combining it with a thermodynamic approach for crystal phase prediction and via incorporating the influence of film transmittivity and optical properties of the substrate on heating during IPL. The model is used to show the need to a-priori control IPL parameters to concurrently account for both the thermal and optical properties of the film and substrate in order to obtain a desired crystalline phase during IPL of such thin films on paper and polycarbonate substrates.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Dexter

Gao

Bansal

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…An alternative method to synthesize CZTS is to introduce copper and zinc as binary sulfide nanoparticles (e.g., Cu x S, ZnS) instead of soluble salts that the “one-pot” methods utilize [28,29], which can be blended with SnS 2 nanoparticles and/or [Sn 2 S 6 ] 4− complex-bearing ammonium sulfide solution, offering a facile method of adjusting the elemental composition of CZTS, a critical parameter of its photovoltaic performance [34,35]. This method of synthesis also removes the need to use the toxic thiourea complexing agent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aqueous-Based Binary Sulfide Nanoparticle Inks for Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Stabilized with Tin(IV) Chalcogenide Complexes

et al. 2019

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Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is a promising semiconductor material for photovoltaic applications, with excellent optical and electronic properties while boasting a nontoxic, inexpensive, and abundant elemental composition. Previous high-quality CZTS thin films often required either vacuum-based deposition processes or the use of organic ligands/solvents for ink formulation, which are associated with various issues regarding performance or economic feasibility. To address these issues, an alternative method for depositing CZTS thin films using an aqueous-based nanoparticle suspension is demonstrated in this work. Nanoparticles of constituent binary sulfides (CuxS and ZnS) are stabilized in an ink using tin(IV)-based, metal chalcogenide complexes such as [Sn2S6]4−. This research paper provides a systematic study of the nanoparticle synthesis and ink formulation via the enabling role of the tin chalcogenide complexing power, the deposition of high-quality CZTS thin films via spin coating and annealing under sulfur vapor atmosphere, their structural characterization in terms of nanocrystal phase, morphology, microstructure, and densification, and their resultant optoelectronic properties.

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“…However, hydrazine‐based solution process has some limitations for large‐scale production because it uses toxic and explosive solvent. The popular method of nano‐particle solution always requires complicated nano‐particle synthesis . More importantly, in order to prevent the metal in the precursors from being oxidized, most solution preparation methods have to be carried out under the protection of inert gas in the process of sintering as‐prepared CZTS films .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Atmospheric Aqueous Solution Deposition for High Performance Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ Thin Film Solar Cells

Tian

et al. 2018

Solar RRL

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Environment‐friendly process, low production cost, and simple operation are regarded as key factors for scalable kesterite photovoltaic applications. Herein a green ammonium thioglycolate (TGAm)‐based aqueous solution route has been developed to deposit Cu2ZnSnS4 films. It is found that sinstering in ambient air is as good as in argon, making the production process more affordable and reproducible. TGAm is more active than other alkylthiols with longer alkyl chains and has a strong coordination capability toward metal ions, which is a key factor in the dissolution of a series of metal oxides. Meanwhile, TGAm is widely used in biopharmaceuticals and hairspray, demonstrating good biological compatibility. Moreover, a low level of Ag doping can be successfully incorporated into the host lattice of the CZTSSe to form a homogeneous (Cu1−x,Agx)2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CAZTSSe) alloy material by this aqueous process. Benefiting from the effect of Ag doping, the initial power conversion efficiency is successfully enhanced from 5.86% (x = 0) to 7.38% (x = 2%).

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Scalably synthesized environmentally benign, aqueous-based binary nanoparticle inks for Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ photovoltaic cells achieving over 9% efficiency

Abstract: We report a scalable method for producing efficient Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 photovoltaic cells by combining binary metal sulfide nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous solutions.

Cited by 21 publications

References 44 publications

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Aqueous-Based Binary Sulfide Nanoparticle Inks for Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Stabilized with Tin(IV) Chalcogenide Complexes

Green Atmospheric Aqueous Solution Deposition for High Performance Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ Thin Film Solar Cells

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Scalably synthesized environmentally benign, aqueous-based binary nanoparticle inks for Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 photovoltaic cells achieving over 9% efficiency

Abstract: We report a scalable method for producing efficient Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 photovoltaic cells by combining binary metal sulfide nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous solutions.

Cited by 21 publications

References 44 publications

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Temperature, Crystalline Phase and Influence of Substrate Properties in Intense Pulsed Light Sintering of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticle Thin Films

Aqueous-Based Binary Sulfide Nanoparticle Inks for Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Stabilized with Tin(IV) Chalcogenide Complexes

Green Atmospheric Aqueous Solution Deposition for High Performance Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Thin Film Solar Cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Scalably synthesized environmentally benign, aqueous-based binary nanoparticle inks for Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ photovoltaic cells achieving over 9% efficiency

Green Atmospheric Aqueous Solution Deposition for High Performance Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ Thin Film Solar Cells