A new phase in the Cu–Sn–Zn–S photovoltaic system

• A new phase in the Cu–Sn–Zn–S system has been found.
• A range of solubility corresponding to Cu2−2xZn6+3xSn1−xS9 with 0• The Differential Thermal Analysis indicates a decomposition of this phase at 790 °C.

More than 35 samples of the Cu–Zn–Sn–S system were prepared along the ZnS–Cu2SnS3 section, in order to study the bulk properties of the Cu2ZnSnS4 semiconductor. During the investigation of these samples, a new quaternary phase was detected by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analyses. The results indicate that the new phase has a range of solubility corresponding to Cu2−2xZn6+3xSn1−xS9 with 0