Structural, optical and electrical properties of CuIn5S8 thin films grown by thermal evaporation method

Structural, electronic and optoelectronic properties of AB 5 C 8 ( A = Cu/Ag; B = In and C = S, Se and Te ) compounds

“…Presence of three different elements changes their measurable properties 7 . Here, in this study, the ternary semiconductors are the combination of group I, III and VI elements which may be in stoichiometric as well as in non‐stoichiometric proportions 8 . This ternary semiconductors family due to their flexibility in electrical and optical properties can be used as photo‐absorbing materials in optoelectronic devices 9 .…”

“…The ternary semi‐conductor family AB 5 C 8 (A = Cu or Ag, B = In and C = S, Se or Te) is one of the most important representative among the ternary semi‐conductors. These ternary semiconductors are mostly visible‐light active materials which have recently gained significant interest due to appropriate band gaps, high absorption coefficients, inter‐conversion between P‐ and N‐type carrier types as well as in manufacturing of comparatively cheap homo and hetero junction structures 8,15,16 . Generally composition of elements in these compounds as well as its synthesis method can suggest either it is N‐type or P‐type semi‐conductor having band gaps appropriate for light absorption in solar or photo‐electrochemical cells 17,18 .…”

“…Generally composition of elements in these compounds as well as its synthesis method can suggest either it is N‐type or P‐type semi‐conductor having band gaps appropriate for light absorption in solar or photo‐electrochemical cells 17,18 . These compounds have wide range applications in different fields, for example, manufacturing of light emitting diodes, photovoltaic and photo‐electrochemical cells and in other optical devices 8,15,17,19‐22 also having applications in ferro‐electricity and super conductivity 15,20,23 . As these are environment friendly compounds, so these can be used as absorbers 16 .…”

“…Thin films of AgIn 5 S 8 and CuIn 5 S 8 were also synthesized by Makhova et al, 24 using sequential evaporation method. Thin films of CuIn 5 S 8 were prepared by Gannouni et al, 8,15 using thermal evaporation method. Later, single crystals of CuIn 5 S 8 were prepared by Bodnar 49 using Bridgman method.…”

“…7 Here, in this study, the ternary semiconductors are the combination of group I, III and VI elements which may be in stoichiometric as well as in non-stoichiometric proportions. 8 This ternary semiconductors family due to their flexibility in electrical and optical properties can be used as photo-absorbing materials in optoelectronic devices. 9 It was investigated in References 10-13 that these semiconductors having suitable band gaps matching with solar spectrum, are considered to be an ideal choice for photo-electrochemical and photovoltaic cells due to its high absorption coefficient and good photo-stability.…”