Applications: A Review

A new solution-based method to fabricate Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin films is presented. Binary and ternary chalcogenide nanoparticles were synthesized and used as precursors to form CZTSSe thin films. The composition of the CZTSSe films can be easily controlled by adjusting the ratio of the nanoparticles used. The effect of compositional adjustment on device performance is illustrated. Laboratory-scale photovoltaic cells with 8.5% total-area efficiency (or 9.6% active-area efficiency) were demonstrated without anti-reflective coatings. Material characterization data revealed the formation of a bilayer microstructure during thermal processing and suggested a path forward on device improvement.

High-efficiency solution-processed Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin-film solar cells prepared from binary and ternary nanoparticles.

Today’s thin film photovoltaic technologies comprising CuInS2 (CIS), CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) and CdTe rely on elements that are costly and rare in the earth’s crust (e.g. In, Ga, Te) and are toxic (e.g. Cd). Hence, in future cost reduction and increased production, using abundantly available non-toxic elements, seem to be the main issues. Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), having the kesterite structure, is one of the most promising absorber layer candidates for low cost thin film solar cells, because of its suitable direct band gap between 1·4 and 1·5 eV and large absorption coefficient, over 104 cm−1. Also it is composed of earth abundant and non-toxic elements, promising price reductions in future. Recently, research in this area has gained momentum due to the desirability of producing Ga, In and Cd free absorber layers and the potential to obtain new insights. Hence, a review of recent literature is urgently warranted. The CZTS progress and present status of CZTS thin film solar cells has been reviewed, with the hope...

CZTS based thin film solar cells: a status review

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was hybridized with CdS nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets using a facile chemical method, for the application of catalytic photodegradation of Rhodamine B and Congo red dyes under irradiation with UV and visible light. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the formation of pure g-C3N4, as well as g-C3N4/CdS, g-C3N4/RGO, and g-C3N4/CdS/RGO composites. The large surface area of the g-C3N4/CdS/RGO composite (70.42 m2 g−1) resulted in rapid dye adsorption onto the surface of the photocatalyst, leading to effective photodegradation of organic pollutants. The addition of CdS and RGO increased the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 by a factor of approximately twenty compared with that of the commercially available TiO2 catalyst under visible light, and the g-C3N4/CdS/RGO composite was found to significantly enhance the catalytic effect compared with pure g-C3N4 and with the g-C3N4/CdS and g-C3N4/RGO composites. The superior photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4/CdS/RGO composite is attributed to enhanced separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs, as well as increased visible-light absorption. The improved transport of photoelectrons was consistent with the results of transient photocurrent measurements. Therefore, g-C3N4/CdS/RGO composites using a facile method are applicable to the development of high-efficiency photocatalytic devices for industrial applications.

Hybrid photocatalysts using graphitic carbon nitride/cadmium sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (g-C3N4/CdS/RGO) for superior photodegradation of organic pollutants under UV and visible light

Routes to copper zinc tin sulfide Cu2ZnSnS4 a potential material for solar cells.

Development of CZTS thin films solar cells by pulsed laser deposition: Influence of pulse repetition rate

Synthesis and characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films grown by PLD: Solar cells

Low temperature aqueous chemical synthesis of CdS sensitized ZnO nanorods

Influence of deposition temperature on morphological, optical, electrical and opto-electrical properties of highly textured nano-crystalline spray deposited CdO:Ga thin films

Kyu-Ung Sim

Papers

Development of CZTS thin films solar cells by pulsed laser deposition: Influence of pulse repetition rate

Synthesis and characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films grown by PLD: Solar cells

Low temperature aqueous chemical synthesis of CdS sensitized ZnO nanorods

Influence of deposition temperature on morphological, optical, electrical and opto-electrical properties of highly textured nano-crystalline spray deposited CdO:Ga thin films

Temperature dependent structural, luminescent and XPS studies of CdO:Ga thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis