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Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells

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  • Carla Gobbo

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

  • Valerio Di Palma

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

  • Vanira Trifiletti

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

  • Claudia Malerba

    (ENEA (Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile) C.R. CASACCIA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy)

  • Matteo Valentini

    (ENEA (Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile) C.R. CASACCIA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy)

  • Ilaria Matacena

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Corso Umberto I 40, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Santolo Daliento

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Corso Umberto I 40, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Simona Binetti

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

  • Maurizio Acciarri

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

  • Giorgio Tseberlidis

    (Department of Materials Science and Solar Energy Research Center (MIB-SOLAR), University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) is a promising absorber material to produce thin film solar cells thanks to its high absorption coefficient, low cost and low toxicity. CdS is commonly used as a buffer layer for CZTS solar cells but, beyond its toxicity, it has a nonoptimal band alignment with CZTS. Zn x Sn 1−x O (ZTO), based on earth-abundant and nontoxic elements and with a large and tunable band gap, is a suitable alternative buffer layer. In this paper, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZTO was employed by testing different compositions and thicknesses. ALD not only leads to very compact and homogenous ZTO layers (enabling tuning the stoichiometry of the ZTO so prepared) but also makes the i-ZnO layer (usually sandwiched between the buffer layer and the transparent contact) redundant and detrimental. Through SCAPS simulation and impedance measurements, the ZnSnO/AZO interface impact on the Cd-free kesterite solar cells’ performances has been investigated, highlighting its leading role in achieving an effective charge extraction and the detrimental effect of the i-ZnO layer. With this approach, a solar cell based on an architecture simpler and more eco-friendly than the conventional one has been produced with comparable efficiencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Carla Gobbo & Valerio Di Palma & Vanira Trifiletti & Claudia Malerba & Matteo Valentini & Ilaria Matacena & Santolo Daliento & Simona Binetti & Maurizio Acciarri & Giorgio Tseberlidis, 2023. "Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4137-:d:1148968
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang Yan & Jialiang Huang & Kaiwen Sun & Steve Johnston & Yuanfang Zhang & Heng Sun & Aobo Pu & Mingrui He & Fangyang Liu & Katja Eder & Limei Yang & Julie M. Cairney & N. J. Ekins-Daukes & Ziv Hamei, 2018. "Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells with over 10% power conversion efficiency enabled by heterojunction heat treatment," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 764-772, September.
    2. Ilaria Matacena & Laura Lancellotti & Nicola Lisi & Paola Delli Veneri & Pierluigi Guerriero & Santolo Daliento, 2020. "Impedance Spectroscopy for the Characterization of the All-Carbon Graphene-Based Solar Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-8, April.
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