Fabrication of Cu2ZnSnS4 Light Absorber Using a Cost-Effective Mechanochemical Method for Photovoltaic Applications

In the present study, we adopt an easy and cost-effective route for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-absorber nanoparticles by a mechanochemical method using non-toxic and environmentally benign solvents (butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, and ethanol). The gram-scale synthesis of absorber nanoparticles was ac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2022-02, Vol.15 (5), p.1708
Main Authors: Sahu, Meenakshi, Reddy, Vasudeva Reddy Minnam, Kim, Bomyung, Patro, Bharati, Park, Chinho, Kim, Woo Kyoung, Sharma, Pratibha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorbers
Annealing
Butanol
Crystal structure
Efficiency
Ethanol
Grain growth
Hazardous wastes
Methyl ethyl ketone
Morphology
Nanocrystals
Nanoparticles
Photovoltaic cells
Spin coating
Thin films
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Summary:In the present study, we adopt an easy and cost-effective route for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-absorber nanoparticles by a mechanochemical method using non-toxic and environmentally benign solvents (butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, and ethanol). The gram-scale synthesis of absorber nanoparticles was achieved in a non-hazardous, zero-waste process without using high-vacuum equipment. The effects of annealing and Na incorporation on the properties of spin-coated CZTS thin films were scrutinized. The deposited samples showed kesterite crystal structure and single phase. The morphological results revealed an improvement in the surface morphology after annealing. The optical bandgaps of the thin films lied in the range of 1.50–1.57 eV with p-type nature. Finally, photovoltaic devices were fabricated, and their cell performance parameters were studied. An efficiency of 0.16% was observed. The present study provides a potential route for the cost-effective fabrication of CZTS-based photovoltaic devices.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma15051708