Review—Solution Processing of CIGSe Solar Cells Using Simple Thiol-Amine Solvents Mixture: A Review

Abstract

Recent results demonstrate the potential of thiol-amine binary solvents to prepare highly efficient thin-film chalcopyrite photovoltaic devices. The power of these solvent mixtures lies in their ability to dissolve a large variety of metal and metal chalcogenide precursors and their ease of application in low-temperature solution-based deposition techniques. This review recounts the early reports that revealed the flexibility and broad ability of the thiol-amine solvent system, and the chemistry behind these solvents. Next, the resulting CIGSe films PV devices fabricated using amine-thiol solution processing techniques are being introduced and analyzed in detail. Finally, Current challenges, as well as prospects for effective technology implementation, were discussed.

Environment-friendly copper-based chalcogenide thin film solar cells: status and perspectives

“…[124][125][126] Nevertheless, the solution process methods have recently attracted various ways. 10,[186][187][188] Notably, the solution process offered comparable PCEs with the vacuum method (around 12% in CZTSSe cells, 148 and 18% in ternary-CIS cells). 27 These results give more confidence to further develop the solution-processable CIGS-based solar cells that so far still exhibit PCE B20% using the blade-coating method.…”

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

“…63 High-quality semiconductor thin film materials can be prepared by solution deposition and low-temperature annealing. Up to now, CZTSSe thin film solar cells have been fabricated using various amine–thiol solvent mixture systems, including monoamine–dithiol, 64 diamine–dithiol, 65 diamine–monothiol, 66 and so on.…”

Unravelling the intricacies of selenization in sequentially evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates

“…Additionally, the grain morphology evolved from undefined melted structures to well-defined agglomerates with distinct forms. Notably, increasing recrystallization temperature to approximately 550 °C for 60 min induced comprehensive recrystallization of the CIGSe film, yielding a superior microstructure characterized by uniformly distributed and densely packed facetted grains [45].…”

“…Quality control curbs defects and variations, boosting FF. Systematic material, interface, and device design refinements raise FF and power conversion efficiency [16,45]. A multidisciplinary approach merging material science, device physics, and engineering is pivotal for efficient, stable solar cells.…”