Solution processed CZTS solar cells using amine–thiol systems: understanding the dissolution process and device fabrication

Abstract

<p>The dissolution process of CZTS constituent elements in a low-toxicity amine-thiol solvent system is analysed in detail through the use of ESI-MS and IRMPD techniques. Devices produced from this solution achieved efficiencies of up to 8.1%.</p>

Kinetics and mechanistic details of bulk ZnO dissolution using a thiol–imidazole system

“…Thus, we present the dissolution of bulk ZnO via reaction with 1-methylimidazole (MeIm) and thiophenol. Whilst previous attempts to identify the products of alkahest dissolution have relied on indirect methods, 23,32,33 we unambiguously identify the molecular solute resulting from ZnO dissolution using direct crystallographic methods, which then enabled us to use 1 H NMR to measure the dissolution kinetics. The kinetic analysis of ZnO dissolution in this thiol-imidazole solution allows us to propose, for the rst time, a plausible mechanism for alkahest dissolution.…”

Polymorphic Control of Solution-Processed Cu2SnS3 Films with Thiol–Amine Ink Formulation

“…To better understand the influence of ink formulation on Cu 2 SnS 3 polymorph determination here, we employed a combination of TGA, negative ion mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-(−)­MS), and powder XRD to study the differences between the Cu 2 S inks dissolved in EDT/en or merc/en. While ESI-(−)­MS is an indirect method, it is effective in gaining insights into the identities of possible molecular solutes formed in thiol–amine inks. ,, TGA has been utilized to monitor decomposition temperatures of metal thiolates, which are known to decompose over a wide temperature range (100–350 °C) depending on the identity of the metal (e.g., Cu, Sn, In, etc.) and thiol used. − Photographs of the Cu 2 S inks in EDT/en and merc/en are supplied as insets of Figure a,b, showing major color differences between the two, with the EDT/en ink being dark orange/brown and the merc/en ink being virtually colorless.…”

“…While ESI-(−)MS is an indirect method, it is effective in gaining insights into the identities of possible molecular solutes formed in thiol–amine inks. 29 , 72 , 73 TGA has been utilized to monitor decomposition temperatures of metal thiolates, which are known to decompose over a wide temperature range (100–350 °C) depending on the identity of the metal (e.g., Cu, Sn, In, etc.) and thiol used.…”

Improving Ultraviolet Responses in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Thin-Film Solar Cells Using Quantum Dot-Based Luminescent Down-Shifting Layer

“…The sputtering power of the metallic precursors was 30 W (0.66 W/cm 2 ), and the individual sputtering times were determined as the Zn-rich and Cu-poor compositional ratios of the CZTSSe absorber films ( Table 1 ). It is well known that a Zn-rich and Cu-poor compositional ratio results in high performance of the CZTSSe solar cells [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The precursors were annealed at 300 °C for 90 min using a tube furnace in an Ar atmosphere to obtain Cu–Zn and Cu–Sn alloys with smooth surfaces.…”