Effect of zinc precursor on Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles synthesized by the solvothermal method and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells as the counter electrode. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swami, Sanjay Kumar; Chaturvedi, Neha; Kumar, Anuj; Dutta, Viresh
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 9(2018)
• Page Start: 377
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Kesterite -- Solvothermal -- Nanoparticles -- Counter electrode -- Dye-sensitized solar cell; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2018.06.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: Quaternary elements kesterite nanoparticles in pure kesterite phase were synthesized using solvothermal process with different zinc precursors. Secondary phase formations were observed if zinc acetate or zinc nitrate was used as the precursor. Synthesis of the pure kesterite phase was possible only by using of chlorides of copper (I), tin (II) and zinc and thiourea as the precursors, with ethylene glycol as the solvent. The average size of the kesterite nanoparticle was observed ∼3 nm with a band gap of 1.51 eV. EDX was used to confirm the stoichiometric composition of the nanoparticle. These nanoparticles were used as the counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells and a power conversion efficiency of 7.12% under AM 1.5G illumination was obtained. Kesterite nanoparticle layer can therefore, be used as an alternate counter electrode in the dye-sensitized solar cell to replace costly and rare earth platinum counter electrode. Graphical abstract: (a) Synthesis of CZTS NPs using different precursors, (b) Schematic diagram of DSSC and (c) Photovoltaic performance of DSSCs using different type of CEs. Image 1 Highlights: Synthesis of CZTS nanoparticles by solvothermal route with different zinc precursors. Pure CZTS phase was possible with chlorides of copper (I), tin (II) and zinc and thiourea. CZTS NP particles show the good catalytic properties. CZTS NPs were used as the CE in DSSC with the PCE of 7.12% to replace the Pt.