Optimization of CdS buffer layers for $Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ thin-film applications

$Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ 태양전지의 적용을 위한 최적화 된 CdS 버퍼층 연구

  • Kim, Gee-Yeong (Dept. of Physics, Graduate School, Ewha womans University) ;
  • Jeong, Ah-Reum (Dept. of Physics, Graduate School, Ewha womans University) ;
  • Jo, William (Dept. of Physics, Graduate School, Ewha womans University)
  • 김지영 (이화여자대학교 물리학과) ;
  • 정아름 (이화여자대학교 물리학과) ;
  • 조윌렴 (이화여자대학교 물리학과)
  • Published : 2012.03.29

Abstract

$Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$(CZTSe) is emerged as a promising material for thin-film solar cells because of non-toxic, inexpensive and earth abundant more than $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ materials. For fabricating compound semiconductor thin-film solar cells, CdS is widely used for a buffer layer which fabricated by a chemical bath deposition method (CBD). Through the experiment, we controlled deposition temperature and mol ratio of solution conditions to find the proper grain 크기 and exact composition. The optimum CdS layers were characterized in terms of surface morphology by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The optimized CdS layer process was applied on CZTSe thin-films. The thickness of buffer layer related with device performance of solar cells which controlled by deposition time. Local surface potential of CdS/CZTSe thin-films was investigated by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). From these results, we can deduce local electric properties with different thickness of buffer layer on CZTSe thin-films. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CdS buffer layer thickness on the CZTSe thin-films for decreasing device losses. From this study, we can suggest buffer layer thickness which contributes to efficiencies and device performance of CZTSe thin-film solar cells.

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