Bandgap engineered Cu2ZnGexSn1−xS4 solar cells using an adhesive TiN back contact layer
Journal article, 2021

Kesterite-based solar cells are mainly restricted by their lower than expected open-circuit voltage (V ) due to non-radiative recombination. Therefore, an approach to reduce bulk and interface recombination through band gap grading to induce a back surface field is attempted. This contribution presents the challenges in the formation of compositional grading of the wide bandgap material Cu ZnGe Sn S (CZGTS) and successful fabrication of solar cells with an additional adhesive TiN interlayer. It is observed that the TiN interlayer improves adhesion between CZGTS and the back contact. The microstructure of the Cu ZnSnS (CZTS) film is significantly affected by the concentration of Ge, and the existence of a Ge concentration gradient is strongly correlated to the formation of smaller Ge-rich and larger Sn-rich grains. The bandgap grading is exploited with a moderate Ge concentration of up to (Ge/(Ge+Sn) = 0.25) in CZTS. As the Ge profile stretched all the way to the front interface, the cliff-like band alignment at the front interface of the absorber could negate the beneficial effect of Ge inclusion in the bulk and back interface of the absorber. Ordering the absorber can introduce an additional downward shift in the valence band. In one of the samples, the increased ordering and high concentration of Ge in CZTS are suggested to enhance the hole barrier at the back interface. It is concluded that the effect of the bandgap grading with Ge can only be realized with optimization of interface band alignment and back contact formation. oc 2 x 1−x 4 2 4

Adhesion

CZGTS

Order-disorder

TiN

Kesterite

Composition gradient

Author

Nishant Saini

Uppsala University

Jes Larsen

Uppsala University

Kristina Lindgren

Chalmers, Physics, Microstructure Physics

Andrea Fazi

Chalmers, Physics, Microstructure Physics

Charlotte Platzer-Björkman

Uppsala University

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

0925-8388 (ISSN)

Vol. 880 160478

Subject Categories

Materials Chemistry

Other Materials Engineering

Condensed Matter Physics

DOI

10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.160478

More information

Latest update

6/15/2021