Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction deposited kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoflakes counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

• Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoflakes by SILAR technique.
• Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2.
• Counter electrode for DSSC application.
• 4.48% conversion efficiency.

In this investigation, we have successfully synthesized Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoflakes by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method and used as a counter electrode in the hydrothermally grown TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The prepared CZTS nanoflakes were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), micro Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis. Our DSSCs results revealed that, compared with conventional Pt/FTO counter electrode DSSCs, nanoflakes of p-type CZTS as the photocathode and n-type TiO2 thin films as the photoanode shows an increased short circuit current (13.35 mA/cm2) with 4.84% power conversion efficiency. The detailed interface properties of were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.

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