Properties of spray deposited Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films

A new solar absorber material, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) in thin film form has been deposited onto glass substrates using spray pyrolysis technique. The thickness dependent (244–754 nm) structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of CZTS films have been studied. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of polycrystalline CZTS films. The surface morphological studies revealed the formation of smooth, compact and uniform CZTS surface. Absorption coefficient was of the order of 104 cm−1 and depending on film thickness and the direct transition was observed with band gap in the range from 1.6 to 1.67 eV. The thermoemf measurement revealed that the CZTS films exhibit p-type electrical conductivity.

► Detail film formation mechanisms of CZTS thin film.
► Simple and inexpensive method is for the synthesis of CZTS films.
► The structural, morphological and optical properties.
► In the present manuscript, the work is novel in the context that for the first time, the effect of different film thickness (244–754 nm) on physicochemical properties of CZTS thin films.