ePrints

ZnS buffer layer for Cu₂ZnSn(SSe)₄ monograin layer solar cell

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stevin PramanaORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Copper zinc tin sulfo-selenide Cu2ZnSn(SSe)4 (CZTSSe) is a low-cost alternative semiconductor material that can be used as an absorber in solar cells. CdS deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) is the most efficient buffer layer for Cu2ZnSn(SSe)4 and Cu(InGa)(SSe)2 (CIGS) solar cells. However, there is a strong demand for the development of a Cd-free buffer layer due to the toxicity of Cd and its associated concerns with respect to the disposal and long term safety of Cd containing solar modules. In this work, we report for the first time, the successful use of a ZnS buffer layer for CZTSSe monograin solar cell that shows similar functionality level as a CdS buffer layer. ZnS buffer layer was deposited onto CZTSSe absorber layer by employing a scalable non-vacuum CBD method. The effect of morphology, thickness, as well as chemical composition of the ZnS buffer layer on the efficiency of the CZTSSe solar cell was investigated, and the best CZTSSe monograin solar cell had an efficiency of 4.50 (±0.16)%. External quantum efficiency (EQE) showed higher transmission in the blue light region for the ZnS buffer compared to CdS. Increased number of ZnS layers decreased the EQE signal in 400-800nm regions, resulting in decreased J-V parameters, suggesting a single layer of 10-25nm ZnS as a most efficient alternative buffer for CZTSSe.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Nguyen M, Ernits K, Tai KF, Ng CF, Pramana SS, Sasangka WA, Batabyal SK, Holopainen T, Meissner D, Neisser A, Wong LH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Solar Energy

Year: 2015

Volume: 111

Pages: 344-349

Print publication date: 01/01/2015

Online publication date: 26/11/2014

Acceptance date: 05/11/2014

ISSN (print): 0038-092X

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.11.006

DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2014.11.006

Altmetrics

Share