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Sodium-assisted Passivation of Grain Boundaries and Defects in Cu2ZnSnSe4 Thin Films
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- Authors
- Juran Kim, Gee Yeong Kim, Trang Thi Thu Nguyen, Seokhyun Yoon, Yoon-Koo Kim, Seung-Yong Lee, Miyoung Kim, Dae-Hyung Cho, Yong-Duck Chung, Je-Ho Lee, Maeng-Je Seong, William Jo
- Issue Date
- 2020-04
- Citation
- Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, v.22, no.14, pp.7597-7605
- ISSN
- 1463-9076
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Language
- English
- Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The long stagnation of the photo-conversion efficiency of kesterites below 13% is a source of frustration in the scientific community. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium on the passivation of grain boundaries and defects in Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) grown on a soda-lime glass (SLG) and borosilicate (BS) glass. Because BS glass does not inherently contain sodium, we placed a thin layer of NaF between CZTSe and Mo. The composition of the samples is Cu-poor and Zn-rich. The distribution of sodium and its contributions to phase formation and defects were examined by cross-sectional energy-dispersive X-ray profiling, Raman scattering spectroscopy and imaging, surface potential and photoluminescence. From the experimental results, it can be strongly claimed that sodium ions segregate predominantly near the grain boundaries and reduce CuZn-related defects. These local surface imaging analyses provided the exact locations of the secondary phases. In particular, the photo-Assisted scanning probe method enabled us to observe the changes in the optoelectrical properties of the thin films and the carrier behavior within the materials. Further studies with distinct alkali ions and optimal processing conditions will pave a way to improve the performance of kesterite solar cells.
- KSP Keywords
- Alkali ions, Conversion efficiency(C.E.), Cross-sectional, Cu-poor, Local surface, Phase formation, Photo-assisted, Photo-conversion efficiency, Probe method, Processing conditions, Raman scattering(SERS)