Low-Temperature Solution-Processed Kesterite Solar Cell Based on in Situ Deposition of Ultrathin Absorber Layer

Hou Y, Azimi SH, Gasparini N, Savador M, Chen W, Khanzada LS, Brandl M, Hock R, Brabec C (2015)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 7

Pages Range: 21100-21106

Journal Issue: 38

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04468

Abstract

The production of high-performance, solution-processed kesterite Cu2ZnSn(Sx,Se1-x)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells typically relies on high-temperature crystallization processes in chalcogen-containing atmosphere and often on the use of environmentally harmful solvents, which could hinder the widespread adoption of this technology. We report a method for processing selenium free Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells based on a short annealing step at temperatures as low as 350 °C using a molecular based precursor, fully avoiding highly toxic solvents and high-temperature sulfurization. We show that a simple device structure consisting of ITO/CZTS/CdS/Al and comprising an extremely thin absorber layer (∼110 nm) achieves a current density of 8.6 mA/cm². Over the course of 400 days under ambient conditions encapsulated devices retain close to 100% of their original efficiency. Using impedance spectroscopy and photoinduced charge carrier extraction by linearly increasing voltage (photo-CELIV), we demonstrate that reduced charge carrier mobility is one limiting parameter of low-temperature CZTS photovoltaics. These results may inform less energy demanding strategies for the production of CZTS optoelectronic layers compatible with large-scale processing techniques.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yi Hou Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Seyed Hamed Azimi Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Nicola Gasparini Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Wei Chen Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Laraib Sarfraz Khanzada Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Marco Brandl Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik (ICSP) Rainer Hock Professur für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

How to cite

APA:

Hou, Y., Azimi, S.H., Gasparini, N., Savador, M., Chen, W., Khanzada, L.S.,... Brabec, C. (2015). Low-Temperature Solution-Processed Kesterite Solar Cell Based on in Situ Deposition of Ultrathin Absorber Layer. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7(38), 21100-21106. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b04468

MLA:

Hou, Yi, et al. "Low-Temperature Solution-Processed Kesterite Solar Cell Based on in Situ Deposition of Ultrathin Absorber Layer." ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 7.38 (2015): 21100-21106.

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