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Title: Stability of Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y Quaternary Alloys Assessed with First-Principles Calculations

Journal Article · · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

One route to decreasing the absorption in CdS buffer layers in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin-film photovoltaics is by alloying. Here we use first-principles calculations based on hybrid functionals to assess the energetics and stability of quaternary Cd, Zn, O, and S (Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y) alloys within a regular solution model. Our results identify that full miscibility of most Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y compositions and even binaries like Zn(O,S) is outside typical photovoltaic processing conditions. Finally, the results suggest that the tendency for phase separation of the oxysulfides may drive the nucleation of other phases such as sulfates that have been increasingly observed in oxygenated CdS and ZnS.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1367961
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-708939; TRN: US1701986
Journal Information:
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 9, Issue 7; ISSN 1944-8244
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 6 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Bandgap of cubic ZnS 1-x O x from optical transmission spectroscopy journal February 2019