Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells from inks of heterogeneous Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanocrystals

Carter, Nathaniel J.; Yang, Wei-Chang; Miskin, Caleb K.; Hages, Charles J.; Stach, Eric A.; Agrawal, Rakesh

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2014.01.016

Cited by 35 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This hypothesis is corroborated by a detailed investigation of the particles comprising the nanoparticle ink after size separation, 12 which reveals that the nanoparticle inks in question consist of particles from two populations with different size-correlated compositions: Cuand Sn-rich particles roughly 5 nm in diameter and Zn-rich particles 10 to 20 nm in diameter (herein referred to as "small" and "large" particles, respectively). The study also shows that nanoparticle films containing a roughly 1:1 mixture by mass of the small and large particles create a more homogeneous, pure-phase CZTSSe film upon selenization and lead to higher solar cell efficiencies compared to films of the small and large particles individually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…(The same holds for the corresponding sulfide phases and the resulting peak near 36.5 keV denoted by Σ1. 21 ) However, since the peak near 22.4 keV corresponds to the 101 planes in tetragonal CZTSe, 12,13,22 we attribute Σ2 primarily to CZTSe grains once the CZTSe 101 signal is detected. During the appearance of Cu2-δSe and Σ2, the broad Σ1 peak of the large and mixed particle samples shifts towards the position of Σ2.…”

Section: Fast Heatingmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…While the fast heating process mimics the selenization conditions used during the standard absorber formation process in device fabrication, [7][8][9]12 the rapid dynamics of the reaction under these conditions obscure subtle but informative details of the selenization mechanism. Thus, EDXRD data were recorded during slow heating for the large, mixed, and small particle films (Fig.…”

Section: Slow Heatingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 to account for the roles of the interparticle heterogeneities characterized in Ref. 12. Each of the following steps in the pathway corresponds to the commonly numbered step depicted in Fig.…”

Section: Role Of Interparticle Heterogeneities In the Selenization Pamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 In both cases, the formation of the dense CZT(Ge)SSe absorber from CZT(Ge)S sulfide nanoparticles by heating in the presence of Se vapor (selenization) represents a crucial step in the device fabrication process due to the improved transport properties associated with larger grains and denser films. [8][9][10][11][12] Directed improvements in device performance necessary for commercialization of this promising technology require elucidation of the insufficiently understood selenization mechanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

The role of interparticle heterogeneities in the selenization pathway of Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanoparticle thin films: a real-time study

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

a Real-time energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXRD) analysis has been utilized to observe the selenization of Cu-Zn-Sn-S nanoparticle films coated from three nanoparticle populations: Cu-and Sn-rich particles roughly 5 nm in size, Zn-rich nanoparticles ranging from 10 to 20 nm in diameter, and a mixture of both types of nanoparticles (roughly 1:1 by mass), which corresponds to a synthesis recipe yielding CZTSSe solar cells with reported total-area efficiencies as high as 7.9%. The EDXRD studies presented herein show that the formation of copper selenide intermediates during the selenization of mixedparticle films can be primarily attributed to the small, Cu-and Sn-rich particles. Moreover, the formation of these copper selenide phases represents the first stage of the CZTSSe grain growth mechanism. The large, Zn-rich particles subsequently contribute their composition to form micrometer-sized CZTSSe grains. These findings enable further development of a previously proposed selenization pathway to account for the roles of interparticle heterogeneities, which in turn provides a valuable guide for future optimization of processes to synthesize high quality CZTSSe absorber layers.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Fast Heatingmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Slow Heatingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Role Of Interparticle Heterogeneities In the Selenization Pamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The role of interparticle heterogeneities in the selenization pathway of Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanoparticle thin films: a real-time study

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Synthesis of CZTSSe Thin Films from Nanocrystal Inks

Hages

2014

Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide‐Based Thin‐Film Solar Cells

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Influence of Ligands on the Formation of Kesterite Thin Films for Solar Cells: A Comparative Study

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The preparation of solar-cell-grade Cu2 ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films from ligand-capped small-grained CZTS particles remains hindered by problems of phase segregation, composition non-uniformity, and in particular carbon-layer formation. Herein, through a systematic comparative study of annealed films of CZTS nanocrystals prepared using conventional oleylamine and those prepared using formamide, these problems are found to be mainly attributable to the influence of the ligands, and mechanisms are proposed. Importantly, the origin of the carbon layer in oleylamine-capped CZTS films is revealed to be the reaction between oleylamine and sulfur. This carbon layer has a very poor electrical conductivity, which can be the reason for the limited performance of such films. Fortunately, these problems can almost all be avoided by replacing oleylamine with formamide to form CZTS films.

show abstract

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells from inks of heterogeneous Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanocrystals

Cited by 35 publications

References 23 publications

The role of interparticle heterogeneities in the selenization pathway of Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanoparticle thin films: a real-time study

The role of interparticle heterogeneities in the selenization pathway of Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanoparticle thin films: a real-time study

Synthesis of CZTSSe Thin Films from Nanocrystal Inks

Influence of Ligands on the Formation of Kesterite Thin Films for Solar Cells: A Comparative Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About