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Elemental de-mixing-induced epitaxial kesterite/CdS interface enabling 13%-efficiency kesterite solar cells

Author

Listed:
  • Yuancai Gong

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Qiang Zhu

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Bingyan Li

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Shanshan Wang

    (Fudan University)

  • Biwen Duan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Licheng Lou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Chunxu Xiang

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Erin Jedlicka

    (University of Washington)

  • Rajiv Giridharagopal

    (University of Washington)

  • Yage Zhou

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Qi Dai

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Weibo Yan

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

  • Shiyou Chen

    (Fudan University)

  • Qingbo Meng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Hao Xin

    (Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications)

Abstract

The conversion efficiency of kesterite solar cells has been stagnated at 12.6% since 2013. In contrast to chalcopyrite solar cells, the performance of kesterite solar cells is seriously limited by heterojunction interface recombination. Here we demonstrate kesterite/CdS heterojunction is constructed on a Zn-poor surface due to the dissolution of Zn2+ during chemical bath deposition. The occupation of Cd2+ on the Zn site and re-deposition of Zn2+ into CdS creates a defective and lattice-mismatched interface. Low-temperature annealing of the kesterite/CdS junction drives migration of Cd2+ from absorber back to CdS and Zn2+ from absorber bulk to surface, achieving a gradient composition and reconstructing an epitaxial interface. This greatly reduces interface recombination and improves device open-circuit voltage and fill factor. We achieve certified 12.96% efficiency small-area (0.11 cm2) and certified 11.7% efficiency large-area (1.1 cm2) kesterite devices. The findings are expected to advance the development of kesterite solar cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuancai Gong & Qiang Zhu & Bingyan Li & Shanshan Wang & Biwen Duan & Licheng Lou & Chunxu Xiang & Erin Jedlicka & Rajiv Giridharagopal & Yage Zhou & Qi Dai & Weibo Yan & Shiyou Chen & Qingbo Meng & Ha, 2022. "Elemental de-mixing-induced epitaxial kesterite/CdS interface enabling 13%-efficiency kesterite solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(10), pages 966-977, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:7:y:2022:i:10:d:10.1038_s41560-022-01132-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01132-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Deng-Bing Li & Sandip S. Bista & Rasha A. Awni & Sabin Neupane & Abasi Abudulimu & Xiaoming Wang & Kamala K. Subedi & Manoj K. Jamarkattel & Adam B. Phillips & Michael J. Heben & Jonathan D. Poplawsky, 2022. "20%-efficient polycrystalline Cd(Se,Te) thin-film solar cells with compositional gradient near the front junction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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