Preparation of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Thin Films by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) Method for...

The Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) thin films have been prepared at different deposition cycles, deposited on a glass substrate by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method followed by the annealing process at elevated temperature. The investigations on the films have been carried out to understand and confirm its structure, functional group present, crystalline morphology, optical and electrochemical behavior. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns recorded indicate that the deposited films are formed in the tetragonal structure. Other parameters like grain size, dislocation density, and microstrain are also calculated. The uniform surface of the films with spherical shaped morphology has been observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, and the elemental compositions have been confirmed by EDAX. Electrochemical behavior such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge analysis have been carried out by electrochemical workstation. The modified electrode exhibits maximum specific capacitance value as 416 F/g for a pure sample. Optical studies have shown that the band gaps are estimated between 1.40 eV and 1.57 eV.