Novel heterojunction superstrate Cu2ZnInS4−x (CZIS) thin film kesterite solar cell with vertical arrays of hexagonal ZnO nanorods window layer
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Date
2022-11-24Author
Yussuf, Sodiq Tolulope
Ramoroka, Morongwa Emmanuel
Mdluli, Siyabonga Beizel
Nwambaekwe, Kelechi Chiemezie
Ekwere, Precious Idinma
Uhuo, Onyinyechi Vivian
Ikpo, Chinwe Oluchi
Iwuoha, Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
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Show full item recordAbstract
Quaternary Cu2ZnInS4−x (CZIS) thin films have been prepared by a facile and cheap sol-gel spin coating
technique. Low-temperature solution-based methods were used to fabricate a heterojunction solar cell in
the superstrate architecture with CZIS thin film as the absorber, vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays, and
CdS as the window and buffer layers respectively. ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared by hydrothermal
technique and nanocrystal layer deposition technique were employed for the deposition of CdS-coated ZnO
nanorod arrays. CZIS absorber layer was spin coated on the CdS-coated ZnO nanorod arrays and annealed at
different temperatures. The vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays, and uniformly distributed CdS shell layer
were confirmed from morphological studies. The device had a final configuration of Glass/ITO/ZnO NRs/CdS/
CZIS/Ag. HRSEM revealed a nanoflake-like morphology and a band gap between 1.5 and 1.77 eV for the CZIS
thin films. CZIS superstrate solar cell had a power conversion efficiency of ∼ 0.61%, an open circuit voltage of
∼ 0.8 V, a short circuit current of ∼ 0.95 mA cm−2 and a fill factor of ∼ 61.35%. This method demonstrates a
novel, facile and eco-friendly technique for synthesizing nanocrystalline CZIS thin films with promising
photo response from the fabricated device indicating a proof of principle that this material can find application
in solar cells.