Synthesis and Characterization of Kesterite thin film solar cell absorber layers

Abstract

This thesis presents kesterite based solar cell absorber films synthesis by non vacuum and vacuum based techniques. Though kesterite based solar cells are premature as compared to CIGS and CdTe technologies, kesterite materials show advances over traditional absorber materials (CIGS/CdTe). Due to several advantages associated with kesterites, these are counted amongst the most promising solar cell absorber layers. The thesis is concerned about the synthesis and characterization of kesterite based solar absorber materials which include CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4), CZTSe (Cu2ZnSnSe4) and CZTSSe (Cu2ZnSn(S/Se)4). Kesterite materials have now become one of the most interesting fields of research in thin film solar technology. These are hoped to be the best replacement to the existing solar cell materials like CIGS and CdTe which contain rare earth and toxic elements. Hence from future point of view, research on kesterite material is gaining huge interest by several researchers. Within a short period of research, CZTS/CZTSe/CZTSSe has successfully obtained promising and encouraging results as photovoltaic absorber. Kesterites are composed of abundant non toxic elements, hence are ideal solar cell materials. newline