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Segmented Control of Selenization Environment for High-Quality Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Films Toward Efficient Kesterite Solar
Yue Jian1,2,3, Litao Han1, Xiangrui Kong1
1Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of MOE, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications, School of Materials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
A new method improves copper zinc tin sulfide selenide (CZTSSe) solar cells by controlling the selenium environment during fabrication. This reduces defects, boosts efficiency to 13.77%, and enhances open-circuit voltage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- High-crystalline-quality absorbers with fewer defects are essential for improving the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and efficiency of copper zinc tin sulfide selenide (CZTSSe) solar cells.
- Current methods for preparing high-quality CZTSSe absorbers are hindered by challenges in controlling the selenization reaction and the complex environmental requirements for film growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel segmented control strategy for the selenization environment to regulate reactions and enhance CZTSSe absorber quality.
- To improve the VOC and overall efficiency of CZTSSe solar cells by mitigating defects and enhancing carrier collection.
Main Methods:
- Implementing a segmented control strategy for the selenium (Se) evaporation area during the selenization process.
- Utilizing a large Se evaporation area initially for rapid phase transition and thin-film formation.
- Employing a reduced Se evaporation area in later stages to create a soft-selenization environment for grain growth and element homogenization.
Main Results:
- Achieved a single-layer thin film with rapid phase transition due to high Se evaporation and diffusion flux in the initial stage.
- Successfully suppressed tin (Sn) loss and promoted element homogenization in the later stage, creating a soft-selenization environment.
- Mitigated Sn-related deep-level defects, significantly improved nonradiative recombination suppression, and enhanced carrier collection, leading to a higher VOC.
Conclusions:
- The proposed segmented control strategy effectively regulates selenization reactions and improves CZTSSe absorber quality.
- The enhanced absorber quality directly leads to a significant improvement in VOC and a reduction in VOC deficit.
- The developed CZTSSe solar cell achieved an impressive efficiency of 13.77%.
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