A comprehensive study on the mechanism behind formation and depletion of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) phases

Ahmad R, Brandl M, Distaso M, Herre P, Spiecker E, Hock R, Peukert W (2015)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 17

Pages Range: 6972-6984

Journal Issue: 36

DOI: 10.1039/c5ce00661a

Abstract

High efficiency kesterite based solar cells have vigorously raised the research interests in this material. The challenge lies in understanding the formation and co-existence of more than 10 possible by-products during and after the synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) and their various different structural and electronic defects. The present contribution shows an in-depth study on the stages of formation and depletion of nanoparticulate CZTS. Employing a hot injection synthesis method, we give direct experimental evidence of the co-existence of cubic, tetragonal and defected CZTS structures and different by-products as a function of time and temperature. SEM, (HR) TEM, XRD, EDX, ICP-OES, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy have been used in order to better evaluate and interpret data for crystal structures and compositions. The obtained understanding on the formation of different phases suggests 250 degrees C as the most favourable synthesis temperature. Based on our study, general strategies can be developed for controlling the amount of formed phases, the by-products and the defects in kesterite and other similar multicomponent nanoparticles as well as in bulk systems.

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APA:

Ahmad, R., Brandl, M., Distaso, M., Herre, P., Spiecker, E., Hock, R., & Peukert, W. (2015). A comprehensive study on the mechanism behind formation and depletion of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) phases. CrystEngComm, 17(36), 6972-6984. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c5ce00661a

MLA:

Ahmad, Rameez, et al. "A comprehensive study on the mechanism behind formation and depletion of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) phases." CrystEngComm 17.36 (2015): 6972-6984.

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