A critical review of solution-process engineering for kesterite thin-film solar cells: current strategies and prospects

Fu, Junjie; Yang, Jin; Dong, Weiwei; Ren, Shu; Zhu, Haonan; Wang, Yusen; Hao, Jianchao; Wu, Jinhu; Wang, Rongzhi; Zhao, Dandan; Zhang, Yange; Zheng, Zhi

doi:10.1039/d3ta05018a

Cited by 4 publications

References 115 publications

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Kesterite Films Processed with Organic Solvents: Unveiling the Impact of Carbon‐Rich Fine‐Grain‐Layer Formation on Solar‐Cell Performance

Javed,

Donmez,

Jones

et al. 2024

Energy Tech

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Solution‐processed kesterite (copper zinc tin sulfide [CZTS]) solar cells attract significant attention owing to their low cost, ease of large‐scale production, and earth‐abundant elemental composition, which make these devices promising to fulfill the ever‐increasing demand of the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Compared to the performances of expensive vacuum‐based techniques, colloidal nanocrystal kesterite solar cells garner substantial interest due to their economical and rapid processing. Led by the hot‐injection method, organic solvent‐based techniques are widely adopted to realize CZTS nanocrystal inks. With organic solvents, ligand‐stabilized nanoparticles are formed leading to dispersive and homogenous kesterite inks. However, the presence of carbon‐rich ligands around the nanocrystal surface often leads to the formation of a fine‐grain layer that is rich in carbon content. The organic ligands decompose into amorphous carbon residues during a high‐temperature annealing process and hinder the grain growth process. The carbon‐rich fine‐grain (CRFG) layer generally poses a negative influence on the PV performance of the kesterite solar cell; however, few reports maintain their disposition about CRFG as innocuous. In this review study, a detailed discussion on CRFG is presented, aiming to understand the insights about its formation and impact on the device's performance.

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Kesterite Films Processed with Organic Solvents: Unveiling the Impact of Carbon‐Rich Fine‐Grain‐Layer Formation on Solar‐Cell Performance

Javed,

Donmez,

Jones

et al. 2024

Energy Tech

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Enhanced CZTSSe Thin‐Film Solar Cell Efficiency: Key Parameter Analysis

Hafaifa,

Maache,

Rabhi

et al. 2024

Physica Status Solidi (a)

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This work presents a numerical simulation study on CZTSSe‐based thin‐film solar cells using Silvaco Atlas software, focusing on optimization and loss analysis. Starting from an initial power conversion efficiency of 12.73%, the ZnO/CdS/CZTSSe cell structure is systematically optimized. Through precise adjustment of layer thickness and doping density, the efficiency is improved to 18.75%. The optimal parameters are 2.5 μm (1017 cm−3) for CZTSSe, 0.01 μm (1018 cm−3) for CdS, and 0.02 μm (1019 cm−3) for ZnO. Loss analysis reveals that increasing CZTSSe thickness beyond 2.5 μm leads to higher bulk series resistance, while thicker CdS and ZnO layers reduce photocurrent generation. Doping density significantly impacts open‐circuit voltage, while layer thickness primarily affects short‐circuit current and fill factor. Performance improves at lower temperatures, achieving 22.2% efficiency at 250 K. These findings provide valuable insights for developing high‐efficiency CZTSSe solar cells.

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Antimony doping strategy enables efficiency and bending durable flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin film solar cells

Zhao,

Sun,

Chen

et al. 2024

Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing

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A critical review of solution-process engineering for kesterite thin-film solar cells: current strategies and prospects

Abstract: The Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) material is considered a promising semiconductor material for commercial photovoltaic applications due to its high theoretical efficiency, high absorption coefficient, tunable direct bandgap, high element abundance, and low production cost.

Cited by 4 publications

References 115 publications

Kesterite Films Processed with Organic Solvents: Unveiling the Impact of Carbon‐Rich Fine‐Grain‐Layer Formation on Solar‐Cell Performance

Kesterite Films Processed with Organic Solvents: Unveiling the Impact of Carbon‐Rich Fine‐Grain‐Layer Formation on Solar‐Cell Performance

Enhanced CZTSSe Thin‐Film Solar Cell Efficiency: Key Parameter Analysis

Antimony doping strategy enables efficiency and bending durable flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin film solar cells

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