Liquid phase assisted grain growth in Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub> nanoparticle thin films by alkali element incorporation

Engberg, Sara Lena Josefin; Canulescu, Stela; Schou, Jørgen

doi:10.1039/c7ra13472j

Cited by 22 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…In this study, we investigate the as-synthesized and annealed nanoparticles of CZTS obtained by the hot-injection method, previously described by Mirbagheri et al 24 Unlike most nanoparticle approaches, the as-synthesized particles are organic ligand-free, and absorbers without the infamous carbon-rich "fine grain layer" at the back interface have been demonstrated. 25 The synthesis approach is fast, upscalable, and ensures low material losses. Contrary to the precursor salt approach, the nanoparticle approach allows for numerous coating techniques as ink properties are easily tuned.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

et al. 2020

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In the last decade, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has been a promising earth-abundant, nontoxic candidate material for absorption layers within thin-film solar cells. One major issue preventing this type of solar cells from achieving competitive efficiency is impurity phases and structural defects in the bulk of the absorber; as a four-element compound, the formation of CZTS is highly sensitive to synthesis conditions. The impurity phases and defects differ by the fabrication method, and thus experimental characterization is vital for the successful development of CZTS photovoltaics. In this work, we characterize CZTS nanoparticles obtained by the hot-injection method and a standard N2/S annealing procedure. Phase-pure kesterite CZTS samples in the desired compositional range were characterized by standard means, i.e., Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. However, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement, we show that the as-synthesized nanoparticles consist of a mixture of the tetragonal and the fully disordered cubic sphalerite phase and transform into the tetragonal structure after heat treatment. Sn vacancies are seen in the annealed samples. X-ray total scattering with pair distribution function analysis furthermore suggests the presence of a nanostructured CZTS phase along with a bulk material. Finally, this study compares the benefits of applying synchrotron radiation instead of a standard laboratory X-ray diffraction when characterizing highly complex materials.

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Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

et al. 2020

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“…The nanoparticles were synthesized using a one-step, hotinjection method, as described in our previous work [5]. Following the cleaning and collection of the particles, they were functionalized with K on the surface via a simple ligandexchange step [6]. KCl was dissolved in DI water and mixed with the nanoparticles dispersed in ethanol.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of potassium-functionalized Cu<inf>2</inf>ZnSnS<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles annealed in different reactive sulfide atmospheres

Engberg

Canulescu

Schou

2018

2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC &Amp

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Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) can be a promising, alternative material for thin-film solar cells, because it is earthabundant, non-toxic and displays relevant physical properties. For future up-scaling possibilities and to decrease the environmental impact of the photovoltaic technology, solutionprocessing deposition methods are desired. This paper deals with CZTS absorber layers fabricated from CZTS nanoparticles that are functionalized with KCl, and investigates two different types of furnaces for the annealing process; a hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) flow furnace and a nitrogen atmosphere closed furnace. We find that more uniform grain growth is achieved when annealing in a closed furnace, while very large grains on the surface of the film are obtained when annealing in H 2S.

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“…Due to the increased surface energy during annealing, particles fuse resulting in increased aggregate formation. This fusion process of the particles also causes the growth of a few grains which increases poly-dispersity [25][26][27]. Size analysis of the annealed particles shows the size range between 10 nm and 45 nm.…”

Section: Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Facile Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Chalcogenide Nanoparticles for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications

Paraye

Manivannan

Selvam

2020

Period. Polytech. Chem. Eng.

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Single-step ultrasound-assisted synthesis of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide nanoparticles (CZTS) has been studied at two different frequencies. While the effects of frequency on the particle size of the CZTS nanoparticles were insignificant, a noticeable change was observed in composition. As-obtained particles presented the amorphous nature and spherical morphology with a high degree of agglomeration. Annealing of the synthesized CZTS nanoparticles increased the crystallinity while the sulfur content decreased considerably. The poly-dispersity and agglomeration of the nanoparticles increased upon annealing. The as-obtained CZTS nanoparticles synthesized at 45 kHz frequency presented a copper deprived and zinc-rich composition suitable for higher photo-conversion efficiency of the solar cells. The bandgap of the annealed and non-annealed particles ranged between 1.25 eV and 1.65 eV.

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Liquid phase assisted grain growth in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticle thin films by alkali element incorporation

Abstract: We present a route where organic ligand-free, KCl-functionalized Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles grow into large, dense grains during annealing in nitrogen/sulfur atmosphere.

Cited by 22 publications

References 37 publications

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

Comparison of potassium-functionalized Cu<inf>2</inf>ZnSnS<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles annealed in different reactive sulfide atmospheres

Facile Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Chalcogenide Nanoparticles for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications

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Liquid phase assisted grain growth in Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticle thin films by alkali element incorporation

Abstract: We present a route where organic ligand-free, KCl-functionalized Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles grow into large, dense grains during annealing in nitrogen/sulfur atmosphere.

Cited by 22 publications

References 37 publications

Characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

Characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

Comparison of potassium-functionalized Cu<inf>2</inf>ZnSnS<inf>4</inf> nanoparticles annealed in different reactive sulfide atmospheres

Facile Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Chalcogenide Nanoparticles for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications

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Liquid phase assisted grain growth in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticle thin films by alkali element incorporation

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method

Characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Particles Obtained by the Hot-Injection Method