One Step Electrodeposition of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Using Sodium Thiocyanate as Complexing Agent

Abstract

Single step electrodeposition of Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) for solar cell applications was studied using an aqueous thiocyanate based electrolyte. The sodium thiocyanate complexing agent was found to decrease the difference in the deposition potential of the elements. X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples indicates the formation of kesterite phase CZTS. UV-vis studies reveal the band gap of the deposits to be in the range of 1.2-1.5 eV. The thickness of the deposit was found to decrease with increase in pH of the electrolyte. Nearly stoichiometric composition was obtained for CZTS films coated at pH 2 and 2.5. I-V characterization of the film with indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate in the presence and the absence of light source indicate that the resistance decrease significantly in the presence of light indicating suitability of the deposits for solar cell applications. Results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies reveal that the cathodic process for sulfur reduction is the slowest among all the elements.

Kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 thin films synthesized utilizing electrodeposition: Influence of metal doping on the properties

“…The average crystallite size of CZTS-Li, CZTS-Cr, CZTS-Sb, and CZTS-Na was 32, 37, 41, and 49 nm, respectively. These results agree well with those reported earlier 19,20 .…”

“…The average crystallite size of CZTS-Li, CZTS-Cr, CZTS-Sb, and CZTS-Na was 32, 37, 41, and 49 nm, respectively. These results agree well with those reported earlier 19,20 . The lattice parameters of the CZTS films doped with different metal ions are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…The electrolyte solutions contained 1. 19 agent was used in the aqueous electrolytes for the electrodeposition of CZT precursor as reported in our previous works. 12,13 A total of 0.02 mol/L lactic acid and 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide were used to modify the solution's Ph to 6.…”

Role of triethanolamine in forming Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 nanoparticles during solvothermal processing for solar cell applications

“…The crystal size of the product synthesis using different amounts of triethanolamine TEA (2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/mL) were 33, 35, 39, and 43 nm, respectively. These results are similar to the reported values in the literature 32,33 . It is indicated by our experimental results that increasing the concentration of TEA to more than 5 mg/mL was related to the solution viscosity, which increased with increasing TEA concentration, resulting in the formation of many black agglomerates at the bottom of the beaker.…”

One-step CZT electroplating from alkaline solution on flexible Mo foil for CZTS absorber

“…However, poor film morphology can be expected due to masslimited transport and hydrogen evolution. Because of this reason, most of the studies focus on the role of complexing agents to further reduce the difference in reduction potential of the dissolved metallic species leading to improved photoactivity [11][12][13][14][15]. In this context, an alkaline medium can be a valid strategy to reduce the detrimental effects of hydrogen and the overall quality of the growing deposit.…”