Structural and Optical Properties of SnS Thin Films

Abstract

Thin films of tin sulfide (SnS) were prepared by thermal evaporation technique on glass substrates, with thickness in the range of 100, 200 and 300nm and their physical properties were studied with appropriate techniques. The phase of the synthesized thin films was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Further, the crystallite size was calculated by Scherer formula and found to increase from 58 to 79 nm with increase of thickness. The obtained results were discussed in view of testing the suitability of SnS film as an absorber for the fabrication of low-cost and non toxic solar cell. For thickness, t=300nm, the films showed orthorhombic OR phase with a strong (111) preferred orientation. The films deposited with thickness < 200nm deviated from stoichiometry and additional phases such as Sn2S3 was found to be present. Optical transmission spectra we rerecorded in the wavelength range 200-1100 nm, and the data was used to calculate absorption coefficient and optical band gap. SnS film grown with 300nm has shown a direct optical band gap of ~1.7 eV, with an absorption coefficient of 105cm-1 above the fundamental absorption edge. These polycrystalline and highly absorbing SnS thin films are suitable for the fabrication of hetero junction solar cells.