Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber layers obtained through sulphurization of metallic precursors: Graphite box versus sulphur flux

In this work we employed a hybrid method, combining RF-magnetron sputtering with evaporation, for the deposition of tailor made metallic precursors, with varying number of Zn/Sn/Cu (ZTC) periods and compared two approaches to sulphurization. Two series of samples with 1 ×, 2 × and 4 × ZTC periods have been prepared. One series of precursors was sulphurized in a tubular furnace directly exposed to a sulphur vapour and N2 + 5% H2 flux at a pressure of 5.0 × 10+ 4 Pa. A second series of identical precursors was sulphurized in the same furnace but inside a graphite box where sulphur pellets have been evaporated again in the presence of N2 + 5% H2 and at the same pressure as for the sulphur flux experiments. The morphological and chemical analyses revealed a small grain structure but good average composition for all three films sulphurized in the graphite box. As for the three films sulphurized in sulphur flux grain growth was seen with the increase of the number of ZTC periods whilst, in terms of composition, they were slightly Zn poor. The films' crystal structure showed that Cu2ZnSnS4 is the dominant phase. However, in the case of the sulphur flux films SnS2 was also detected. Photoluminescence spectroscopy studies showed an asymmetric broad band emission which occurs in the range of 1–1.5 eV. Clearly the radiative recombination efficiency is higher in the series of samples sulphurized in sulphur flux. We have found that sulphurization in sulphur flux leads to better film morphology than when the process is carried out in a graphite box in similar thermodynamic conditions. Solar cells have been prepared and characterized showing a correlation between improved film morphology and cell performance. The best cells achieved an efficiency of 2.4%.

► Precursors deposited by a hybrid method with n × zinc tin copper (ZTC) periods
► Achieved good reproducibility in the deposition of metallic precursors
► Different precursors for sulphurization in sulphur flux and in the graphite box
► Photoluminescence intensity increases for samples with more than one ZTC period.