Open AccessSolution-Processed One-Dimensional ZnO@CdS Heterojunction toward Efficient Cu2ZnSnS4 Solar Cell with Inverted Structure
Author(s) -
Rongrong Chen,
Jiandong Fan,
Chong Liu,
Xing Zhang,
Yanjiao Shen,
Yaohua Mai
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep35300
Subject(s) - heterojunction , solar cell , optoelectronics , materials science , czts , computer science
Kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) semiconductor has been demonstrated to be a promising alternative absorber in thin film solar cell in virtue of its earth-abundant, non-toxic element, suitable optical and electrical properties. Herein, a low-cost and non-toxic method that based on the thermal decomposition and reaction of metal-thiourea-oxygen sol-gel complexes to synthesize CZTS thin film was developed. The low-dimensional ZnO@CdS heterojunction nano-arrays coupling with the as-prepared CZTS thin film were employed to fabricate a novel solar cell with inverted structure. The vertically aligned nanowires (NWs) allow facilitating the charge carrier collection/separation/transfer with large interface areas. By optimizing the parameters including the annealing temperature of CZTS absorber, the thickness of CdS buffer layer and the morphology of ZnO NWs, an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) as high as 589 mV was obtained by such solar cell with inverted structure. The all-solution-processed technic allows the realization of CZTS solar cell with extremely low cost.