Physical properties of the low-cost CZTS absorber layer deposited by spin-coating: effect of the copper concentration associated with SCAPS-1D simulation

Abstract

The results obtained in this study support the use of spin-coated CZTS films as absorber layers in thin film solar cells and the use of only 1.5 M copper concentration to achieve an efficient absorber layer.

Spin-coated CZTS films prepared by two different precursor mixing regimes, at room temperature and at 150 °C

“…CZTS (Copper–Zinc–Tin-Sulphur) thin-films are promising materials for low-cost solar cell production, due to their abundance, low cost and non-toxicity. Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin-films are p-type semiconductor with a direct gap that could be tailored within the range of 1.0–1.5 eV and respectable absorption coefficient ), making it an absorber layer of choice for PV applications [ [1] , [2] , [3] ]. Various synthesizing methods are available for CZTS thin films fabrication, including both vacuum and non-vacuum techniques, such as RF and hybrid (DC and RF) sputtering, spray pyrolysis, chemical vapour deposition, evaporation, co-evaporation, sol-gel and spin-coating [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Various synthesizing methods are available for CZTS thin films fabrication, including both vacuum and non-vacuum techniques, such as RF and hybrid (DC and RF) sputtering, spray pyrolysis, chemical vapour deposition, evaporation, co-evaporation, sol-gel and spin-coating [ 4 , 5 ]. Among these, the non-vacuum sol-gel 2-methoxyethanol technique emerged as a promising approach due to its simplicity [ 2 , 6 ], environmental friendliness, low cost, and efficient operability over a wide temperature range [ 7 , 8 ]. The latter can be easily combined with spin coating, allowing film uniformity and thickness control, adaptability of precursor solutions preparation, and the possibility for large-area deposition [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…There are many reports about synthesizing CZTS from mixed solutions, starting from room temperature conditions, up to 90 °C, as could be found in the following reports concerning the influence of the temperature on spin coated CZTS synthesis: Jiang at al [ 14 ]. at room temperature, Zakaria et al 20 min at [ 2 ], Tanaka et al at for 1 h [ 6 ], Hosseinpour at al. at for 30 min [ 15 ], Laghafour at for 1 h [ 16 ], Ahmoum et al at for 2 h [ 17 , 18 ], etc.…”