Synthesis and characteristics of spray deposited CuInS{sub 2} nanocrystals thin films for photovoltaic applications

Journal Article · Tue Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2013.06.059· OSTI ID:22285159

Kumar, Sushil ^[1]; AlSalhi, Mohamad S. ^[2]

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1. Materials Science Lab., Department of Physics, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125055 (India)
2. King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451 (Saudi Arabia)

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • CuInS{sub 2} nanocrystals thin films were synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique. • They are polycrystalline and have chalcopyrite (tetragonal) structure. • They have high absorption coefficient ∼10{sup 4} cm{sup −1} and optimum band gap of 1.55 eV. • They showed excellent opto-electronic properties employable in photovoltaics. - Abstract: Nanocrystalline thin films of CuInS{sub 2}, an attractive absorber material for highly efficient and terrestrial photovoltaic devices, were deposited on ultraclean glass substrates using spray pyrolysis technique. The prepared films were characterized by FESEM, FETEM, HRTEM, AFM, XRD, optical absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence and current–voltage characteristics. The films exhibit almost smooth, dense and uniform topography; and have nano-sized particles 40–60 nm of CuInS{sub 2}. XRD data show that the films are polycrystalline and have chalcopyrite (tetragonal) structure with crystallite size 45–60 nm. Optical absorption studies show that the band gap of spray deposited CuInS{sub 2} films is 1.55 eV, while absorption coefficient is of ∼10{sup 5} cm{sup −1}. PL spectra have only one peak at 1.43 eV which may be attributed to the excitonic recombination through donor–acceptor impurity levels in the sample. Furthermore, CdS/CuInS{sub 2} heterojunction was also produced onto ITO coated glass substrate to evaluate solar cell parameters such as short circuit current density, open circuit voltage, fill factor and conversion efficiency.

• OSTI ID: 22285159
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 48; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ABSORPTION
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
CHALCOPYRITE
COPPER SULFIDES
DEPOSITS
EV RANGE 01-10
INDIUM SULFIDES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
POLYCRYSTALS
PYROLYSIS
SOLAR CELLS
SYNTHESIS
THIN FILMS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION