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The order-disorder transition in Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4}: A theoretical and experimental study

Journal Article · · Journal of Solid State Chemistry
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin (Germany)
  2. Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin (Germany)
  3. Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 3, 14195 Berlin (Germany)

In this work the Cu/Zn order-disorder transition in Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} kesterites on Wyckoff positions 2c and 2d was investigated by a structural and electronic analysis in theory and experiment. For experimental investigations stoichiometric samples with different Cu/Zn order, annealed in the temperature range of 473–623 K and afterwards quenched, were used. The optical gaps were determined using the Derivation of Absorption Spectrum Fitting (DASF) method. Furthermore, the order-disorder transition was examined by DFT calculations for a closer analysis of the origins of the reduced band gap, showing a good agreement with experimental data with respect to structural and electronic properties. Our studies show a slight increase of lattice parameter c in the kesterite lattice with increasing disorder. Additionally, a reduced band gap was observed with increasing disorder, which is an effect of newly occurring binding motifs in the disordered kesterite structure. - Highlights: • Experimental and theoretical investigation on the order-disorder transition in kesterites. • Slight enlargements of lattice constants due to disorder in experiment and theory. • Strong band gap fluctuations with decreasing order. • Electronic structure deviations due to changing binding motifs. • Disorder as possible main source of low open-circuit voltages.

OSTI ID:
22658298
Journal Information:
Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. 250; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English