Titania as Buffer Layer for Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

Tseberlidis, Giorgio; Palma, Valerio Di; Trifiletti, Vanira; Frioni, Luigi; Valentini, Matteo; Malerba, Claudia; Mittiga, A.; Acciarri, M.; Binetti, S.

doi:10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c00933

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…For substrates preparation, commercially available soda-lime glasses (SLG) were cleaned in Mucasol ® solution (15 ), deionized water (4 × 15 ), acetone (15 ), and ethanol (15 ) via an ultrasonic bath and then dried in vacuum. A Mo thin film with a thickness of 1.1 µm was deposited by magnetron DC sputtering on the so-cleaned substrates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To reduce charge carrier recombination and to increase the current density (J sc ) and the V oc , the optimal n-type partner for kesterite should have a wider band gap compared to CdS [7]. The use of an alternative material to CdS, such as ZnSnO (ZTO) [13], Zn(O,S) [14] and TiO 2 [15], would, therefore, improve charge transport and make the devices cadmium-free [2]. Especially Zn x Sn 1−x O (ZTO) is an interesting alternative: it is appealing for scale production as it contains only earth-abundant and nontoxic constituents, [16] and it has a large and tunable band gap, controllable by varying the Zn to Sn ratio [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

et al. 2023

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Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is a promising absorber material to produce thin film solar cells thanks to its high absorption coefficient, low cost and low toxicity. CdS is commonly used as a buffer layer for CZTS solar cells but, beyond its toxicity, it has a nonoptimal band alignment with CZTS. ZnxSn1−xO (ZTO), based on earth-abundant and nontoxic elements and with a large and tunable band gap, is a suitable alternative buffer layer. In this paper, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZTO was employed by testing different compositions and thicknesses. ALD not only leads to very compact and homogenous ZTO layers (enabling tuning the stoichiometry of the ZTO so prepared) but also makes the i-ZnO layer (usually sandwiched between the buffer layer and the transparent contact) redundant and detrimental. Through SCAPS simulation and impedance measurements, the ZnSnO/AZO interface impact on the Cd-free kesterite solar cells’ performances has been investigated, highlighting its leading role in achieving an effective charge extraction and the detrimental effect of the i-ZnO layer. With this approach, a solar cell based on an architecture simpler and more eco-friendly than the conventional one has been produced with comparable efficiencies.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

et al. 2023

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“…Similarly, Guo et al [320] successfully used low-cost, Cd-free, and good lattice matched Ag 2 ZnSnS 4 as an n-type heterojunction partner with CZTS in their device and obtained 4.51% efficiency. However, in contrast to the lower bandgap aforementioned nontoxic buffer layers, very recently, as a proof-of-concept, Tseberlidis et al [321] have reported a first substrate structure CZTS solar cell based on TiO 2 buffer layer. Their CZTS/TiO 2 device delivered a PCE of 3.01% compared to ∼4% PCE of CZTS/CdS reference cell.…”

Section: Buffer Layers Other Than Cdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in contrast to the lower bandgap aforementioned non‐toxic buffer layers, very recently, as a proof‐of‐concept, Tseberlidis et al. [ 321 ] have reported a first substrate structure CZTS solar cell based on TiO 2 buffer layer. Their CZTS/TiO 2 device delivered a PCE of 3.01% compared to ∼4% PCE of CZTS/CdS reference cell.…”

Section: Beneficial Strategies For Absorber and Substrate Structure D...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Deep Dive into Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) Solar Cells: A Review of Exploring Roadblocks, Breakthroughs, and Shaping the Future

Shah,

Wang,

Irfan Ullah

et al. 2024

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Renewable energy is crucial for sustainable future, and Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) based solar cells shine as a beacon of hope. CZTS, composed of abundant, low‐cost, and non‐toxic elements, shares similarities with Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS). However, despite its promise and appealing properties for solar cells, CZTS‐based solar cells faces performance challenges owing to inherent issues with CZTS material, and conventional substrate structure complexities. This review critically examines these roadblocks, explores ongoing efforts and breakthroughs, providing insight into the evolving landscape of CZTS‐based solar cells research. Furthermore, as an optimistic turn in the field, the review first highlights the crucial need to transition to a superstrate structure for CZTS‐based single junction devices, and summarizes the substantial progress made in this direction. Subsequently, dive into the discussion about the fascinating realm of CZTS‐based tandem devices, providing an overview of the existing literature as well as outlining the possible potential strategies for enhancing the efficiency of such devices. Finally, the review provides a useful outlook that outlines the priorities for future research and suggesting where efforts should concentrate to shape the future of CZTS‐based solar cells.

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Sputtering Deposited and Energy Band Matched ZnSnN₂ Buffer Layers for Highly Efficient Cd‐Free Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Solar Cells

Ye,

He,

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

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Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells with CdS buffer layers have the problem of toxicity and cliff‐like energy band diagram disfavoring higher photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE (%)). The preparation method for ZnSnO buffer layers which enable Cd‐free CZTS solar cells to reach the certified PCE (%) of 11.4 is limited to atomic layer deposition and sputtering deposition severely reduces PCE (%). Here, it is showed that sputtering deposited ZnSnN2 is an efficient buffer layer for Cd‐free CZTS solar cell, and without antireflection coating or additional passivation layers its champion PCE (%) has reached 10.00 which is comparable to the certified value. No buried junction and current blocking behavior are observed in the CZTS\ZnSnN2 junctions. Elemental inter‐diffusion is observed at the interface between CZTS and ZnSnN2. Most importantly, the energy band of ZnSnN2 is well‐matched with that of CZTS. The former straddles the latter. The conduction band offset is spike‐like with the conduction band of ZnSnN2 higher than that of CZTS, which effectively suppresses interface recombination and results in PCE (%) comparable to the certified value.

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Titania as Buffer Layer for Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

A Deep Dive into Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) Solar Cells: A Review of Exploring Roadblocks, Breakthroughs, and Shaping the Future

Sputtering Deposited and Energy Band Matched ZnSnN₂ Buffer Layers for Highly Efficient Cd‐Free Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Solar Cells

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Titania as Buffer Layer for Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

A Deep Dive into Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Solar Cells: A Review of Exploring Roadblocks, Breakthroughs, and Shaping the Future

Sputtering Deposited and Energy Band Matched ZnSnN2 Buffer Layers for Highly Efficient Cd‐Free Cu2ZnSnS4 Solar Cells

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Product

Resources

About

A Deep Dive into Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) Solar Cells: A Review of Exploring Roadblocks, Breakthroughs, and Shaping the Future

Sputtering Deposited and Energy Band Matched ZnSnN₂ Buffer Layers for Highly Efficient Cd‐Free Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Solar Cells