Spray-deposited kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS): Optical, structural, and electrical investigations for solar cell applications

R. J. Deokate, Harish S. Chavan, Hyunsik Im, Akbar I. Inamdar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based solar devices have become a popular alternative to copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) due to its outstanding properties such as high efficiency, non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, suitable optoelectrical properties, and earth-abundancy. In this study, we directly fabricated CZTS films via a single-step spray pyrolysis technique, in contrast to conventional techniques where post sulfurization is required. The spray deposited CZTS films are investigated for their optical, structural, and electrical properties. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis study revealed the synthesis of the phase-pure kesterite CZTS films without impurity phases. Large crystallites of CZTS are obtained at a deposition temperature of 400 °C, exhibiting a porous granular morphology with different grain sizes upon temperature variation. The size-dependent optical properties revealed that the CZTS films exhibited admirable visible light absorption of 105 cm−1 and an electronic bandgap ranging between 1.42 and 1.58 eV. The minimum dielectric loss obtained for optimized CZTS due to fewer intrinsic defects confirmed the materials’ applicability. Thus, the study provides a simple, viable route to fabricate CZTS without post-treatment to build affordable solar cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)795-802
Number of pages8
JournalCeramics International
Volume48
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • Kesterite CuZnSnS
  • Optical properties
  • Solar cell
  • Spray pyrolysis
  • Thin film

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spray-deposited kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS): Optical, structural, and electrical investigations for solar cell applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this