Effects of diethanolamine on sol–gel–processed Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} photovoltaic absorber thin films
Highlights: • DEA content significantly affected the crystal structure and the phase purity. • The films’ crystallite sizes increased with increasing DEA content. • Two different impurity levels were found for each film via R-T characteristics. • Under different illuminations, the n-Si/CZTS exhibited good photo-response. • The light on/off current ratios confirmed the photo-sensitivity of the junction. - Abstract: As a promising solar absorber, the Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} compound has been popular recently for the production of green and economical thin-film solar cells owing to the abundancy and non-toxicity of all the constituents. In this study, we have produced Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} films via the sol–gel technique. As a stabilizer, the effects of the diethanolamine on the properties of the films were investigated. The amount of diethanolamine significantly affected the crystal structure, crystallite sizes and phase purity of the films. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of phase-pure CZTS films. It was found that the film produced by using 2 ml of diethanolamine in sol exhibited pure CZTS phase, compact and dense morphology and enhanced photo-sensitivity. Light on/off current ratio of the n-Si/Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} junction was found to be 47 under 100 mW/cm{sup 2} of illumination. Electrical activation energies of the films were investigated and the variations were attributed to delocalized phonon states generating from the presence of other phases and lattice defects.
- OSTI ID:
- 22345209
- Journal Information:
- Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 50; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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