The Effect of Annealing Temperature and KCN Etching on the Photovoltaic Properties of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂Solar Cells Using Nanoparticles

Abstract

Cu(In,Ga)S 2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a hot-injection method under a low-vacuum ambience, which were printed and annealed with Se vapor for Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 solar cells. The Cu(In,Ga)S 2 nanoparticles were around 14 nm, and the stable ink was obtained by dispersing the nanoparticles in hexanethiol. The crystallinity of the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 films increased with the increase in annealing temperature. Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 solar cells with KCN etching after annealing showed better photovoltaic properties than KCN etching before annealing and without etching. The best cell was observed at an annealing temperature of 540 ∘ C and KCN etching after annealing; the parameters of this cell were a short-circuit photocurrent density of 27.12 mA/cm 2 , open-circuit voltage of 0.42 V, fill factor of 0.38, and conversion efficiency of 4.3%.

Printable solar cells

“…By printing CIGS and CZTS nanoparticles with several KCN etchings before annealing, Guo et al showed a 12.0 and 8.4% conversion efficiency, respectively, without the hydrazine method. Our group found a significant difference in the KCN effect before and after annealing . Thinking about the Guo's results, the KCN etching before annealing may remove organic materials between the CuInS 2 nanoparticles .…”

“…Thinking about the Guo's results, the KCN etching before annealing may remove organic materials between the CuInS 2 nanoparticles . Also, the KCN etching after annealing may remove CuS x on the top surface of CuInS 2 layers . These CIGS (or CZTS) nanoparticles have been synthesized by the hot‐injection method: the sulfur is injected into the metal‐source (Cu‐In‐Ga or Cu‐Sn‐Zn) hot solution of oleylamine (at 250°C) .…”

“…Our group found a significant difference in the KCN effect before and after annealing. 90 Thinking about the Guo's results, the KCN etching before annealing may remove organic materials between the CuInS 2 nanoparticles. 88,89 Also, the KCN etching after annealing may remove CuS x on the top surface of CuInS 2 layers.…”

Comparison between thin‐film solar cells and copper–indium–gallium–diselenide in Southeast Asia

“…These show the positive impact that made by Southeast Asia countries. Thus, besides Malaysia, other Southeast Asia countries also have done researches on CIGS thin‐film solar cells, such as Thailand and Vietnam as can be seen in Tables 9 and 10, respectively [140–143].…”

Parametric optimization of mechanochemical process for synthesis of Cu(In, Ga)0.5Se2 nanoparticles

“…There is plethora of chemical methods including a colloidal process [14], solvothermal process [15] and hot injection [16] to synthesize CIGS nanoparticles. But the chemical processes are either time consuming or requires schlenk-line techniques [17].…”