Abstract
The replacement of a toxic KCN etch step used for the preparation of efficient thin film solar cells with CuInS 2 by a mixed photoelectrochemical and electrochemical anodic conditioning procedure is reported. Processing in V 2+/V 3+ – 4.4 M HCl redox electrolyte with specific potential ramps results in photoelectrochemical solar cells (PECS) superior to KCN etched cells after combination with an additional procedure employing anodic potential pulses. Solar-to-electrical conversion efficiencies of PECS yield η = 2.4% for KCN etched samples and of 3.3% for the new two-step treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and solar cell analysis show removal of Cu–S phases and formation of ordered defect compounds (OVCs) on CuInS 2. After electrochemical treatment the surface is less Cu-depleted than after KCN etching attributed to a non-sulfide monovalent Cu compound.
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