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

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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Air-stable solution processed Cu2ZnSn(Sx,Se(1-x))4 thin film solar cells: influence of ink precursors and preparation process

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/opl.2013.1024 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1538 ◽

pp. 107-114

Author(s):

Xianzhong Lin ◽

Jaison Kavalakkatt ◽

Martha Ch. Lux-Steiner ◽

Ahmed Ennaoui

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Annealing Temperature ◽

Solution Process ◽

Stable Solution ◽

Thin Film Solar Cells ◽

Secondary Phases ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Earth Abundant

ABSTRACTQuaternary semiconductors, Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4 which contain only earth-abundant elements, have been considered as the alternative absorber layers to Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) for thin film solar cells although CIGS-based solar cells have achieved efficiencies over 20 %. In this work we report an air-stable route for preparation of Cu2ZnSn(Sx,Se(1-x))4 (CZTSSe) thin film absorbers by a solution process based on the binary and ternary chalcogenide nanoparticle precursors dispersed in organic solvents. The CZTSSe absorber layers were achieved by spin coating of the ink precursors followed by annealing under Ar/Se atmosphere at temperature up to 580°C. We have investigated the influence of the annealing temperature on the reduction or elimination of detrimental secondary phases. X-ray diffraction combined with Raman spectroscopy was utilized to better identify the secondary phases existing in the absorber layers. Solar cells were completed by chemical bath deposited CdS buffer layer followed by sputtered i-ZnO/ZnO: Al bi-layers and evaporated Ni/Al grids.

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Sputtering processed highly efficient Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells by a low-cost, simple, environmentally friendly, and up-scalable strategy

Green Chemistry ◽

10.1039/c5gc02417j ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 700-711 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Myeng Gil Gang ◽

Seung Wook Shin ◽

Chang Woo Hong ◽

K. V. Gurav ◽

Jihye Gwak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Low Cost ◽

Environmentally Friendly ◽

Thin Film Solar Cells ◽

Highly Efficient ◽

Earth Abundant ◽

Copper Zinc

Earth abundant copper–zinc–tin chalcogenide (CZTSSe) is an emerging material for the development of low cost and sustainable thin film solar cells (TFSCs).

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