A low-temperature formation path toward highly efficient Se-free Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells fabricated through sputtering and sulfurization. Issue 6 (22nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Ye; Lau, Tsz-Ki; Cheng, Guanming; Yin, Ling; Li, Zhaohui; Luo, Hailin; Liu, Zhuang; Lu, Xinhui; Yang, Chunlei; Xiao, Xudong
• Is Part Of: CrystEngComm. Volume 18:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 1070
• Page End: 1077
• Publication Date: 2016-01-22
• Subjects: Crystals -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Cristaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Cristallographie -- Périodiques; 548
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ce02279g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8033

Abstract

Abstract : CZTS absorbers fabricated via the low-temperature formation path resulted in more homogeneous element distribution across the thickness direction with much less ZnS segregation near the CZTS/Mo interface. Abstract : A novel low-temperature Cu2 ZnSnS4 (CZTS) formation path using co-sputtered SnS2 –ZnS–Cu precursors was employed for CZTS solar cell fabrication, which gave rise to a cell with a power conversion efficiency of 8.58%, a big step forward from the previous record of 6.77% reported by Katagiri et al. for this kind of solar cell. This method consists of a low-temperature annealing stage for CZTS phase formation followed by a short high-temperature annealing stage for grain growth and secondary phase removal. The employment of SnS2 as a precursor causes the CZTS phase to readily form at low temperature when SnS2 has not dramatically decomposed into volatile SnS. The two-stage process wisely separates the phase formation and crystal coalescence, which makes the fabrication of CZTS films more controllable. Furthermore, the demonstration of the low-temperature formation path provides new opportunities to fabricate highly efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly CZTS solar cells on low-weight and flexible substrates such as polyimides.