Abstract
Ag and Mn dopants were incorporated into Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film to reduce defects in thin film and improve thin film properties. Sol–gel and spin-coating techniques were employed to deposit Ag and Mn co-doped Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films. The structures, compositions, morphologies, and optical properties of the co-doped thin films were characterized. The experimental results indicate the formation of kesterite structure without Ag and Mn secondary phases. The amount of Ag in the thin films is close to that in the sols. The co-doped Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films have an absorption coefficient of larger than 1.3 × 104 cm−1, a direct optical band gap of 1.54–2.14 eV, and enhanced photoluminescence. The nonradiative recombination in Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film is reduced by Ag and Mn co-doping. The experimental results show that Ag and Mn incorporation can improve the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film.
Highlights
In recent years, the quaternary semiconducting Cu2ZnSnS4 has been recognized as a candidate to replace Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber due to its promising optical and electronic properties and its earth-abundant and non-toxic component elements [1,2]
The direct band gap of Cu2ZnSnS4 is around 1.50 eV, which matches with the suitable value for absorber application in solar cells [3,4]
Cation substitution is a useful method to enhance the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film and solar cell
Summary
The quaternary semiconducting Cu2ZnSnS4 has been recognized as a candidate to replace Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber due to its promising optical and electronic properties and its earth-abundant and non-toxic component elements [1,2]. Further improvement is necessary for Cu2ZnSnS4-based thin-film solar cell. Cation substitution is a useful method to enhance the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film and solar cell. The full or partial substitution of Zn by Cd, Fe, Mn, Mg, or Co has been reported to increase the absorption of Cu2ZnSnS4, reduce the CuZn anti-site defect and ZnS secondary phase, and enhance the crystallinity of Cu2ZnSnS4 and conversion efficiency of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin-film solar cell [14,15,16,17,18]. The optimum substitution ratio of single doping is in a narrow range It needs precise composition regulation during thin film preparation. If different cations dope in Cu2ZnSnS4 to substitute different sites with different mechanisms, this is expected to further improve the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film. The structural, compositional, morphological, and optical properties of Ag and Mn co-doped Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films were characterized
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