Copper(L) selenide thin films deposited by a solution-based method for photovoltaic applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Thin Film Deposition

Background:

• Polycrystalline copper selenide (Cu(2-x)Se) is a promising material for photovoltaic applications.
• Solution-based deposition methods offer potential for cost-effective and scalable solar cell fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of deposition time on the physical, structural, and optical characteristics of Cu(2-x)Se thin films.
• To determine the optimal reaction time for producing Cu(2-x)Se thin films via a continuous flow reactor (CFR) process for solar cell applications.

Main Methods:

• Thin films of Cu(2-x)Se were deposited using a solution-based continuous flow reactor (CFR) process.
• Deposition times were varied from 2 to 15 minutes.
• Characterization involved X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectrophotometry, energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Main Results:

• The optimal deposition time for Cu(2-x)Se thin films using the CFR process was found to be 10 minutes.
• XRD analysis confirmed a cubic structure for films annealed at 400°C.
• The film exhibited a band gap of approximately 2.20 eV, an average grain size of 150 nm, and a thickness of 1.8 µm.
• EDAX revealed a Cu:Se atomic ratio of 1.8:1 (x=0.2) for the 10-minute deposited film.

Conclusions:

• A 10-minute deposition time in the CFR process is optimal for producing Cu(2-x)Se thin films with desirable properties for solar cells.
• The study provides insights into controlling the properties of Cu(2-x)Se films through deposition time optimization.