Cation Substitution in Earth-Abundant Kesterite Photovoltaic Materials

Cation/Anion Substitution in Cu2ZnSnS4 for Improved Photovoltaic Performance

Cations and anions are replaced with Fe, Mn, and Se in CZTS in order to control the formations of the secondary phase, the band gap, and the micro structure of Cu2ZnSnS4. We demonstrate a simplified synthesis strategy for a range of quaternary chalcogenide nanoparticles such as Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), Cu2FeSnS4 (CFTS), Cu2MnSnS4 (CMTS), Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe), and Cu2ZnSn(S0.5Se0.5)4 (CZTSSe) by thermoly...

Thin Film Solar Cells Using Earth-Abundant Materials

Assessment of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Antimony Sulfides for Earth-Abundant Photovoltaic Applications.

Hybrid organic-inorganic solar absorbers are currently the subject of intense interest; however, the highest-performing materials contain Pb. Here we assess the potential of three Sb-based semiconductors: (i) Sb2S3, (ii) Cs2Sb8S13, and (iii) (CH3NH3)2Sb8S13. While the crystal structure of Sb2S3 is composed of 1D chains, 2D layers are formed in the ternary cesium and hybrid methylammonium antimo...

Efficient solar water oxidation using photovoltaic devices functionalized with earth-abundant oxygen evolving catalysts.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces of triple junction photovoltaic cells were functionalized with oxygen evolving catalysts (OECs) based on amorphous hydrous earth-abundant metal oxides (metal = Fe, Ni, Co), obtained by straightforward Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) in an aqueous environment. Functionalization with Fe(iii) oxides gave the best results, leading to photoanode...

Phase diagram of the selenide kesterite photovoltaic materials and NMR investigation of Cu/Zn disorder in CZTSe

Synthesis The compounds were prepared by the solid state reaction of Cu, Zn, Sn, and S powders in the appropriate ratios in evacuated, sealed, fused silica tubes. They were heated at 750 °C (ramp 300 °C/h) for 170 h and then cooled down at 20 °C/h. The obtained powders were then ground and pressed into pellets which were again put into a sealed tube. The second heating sequence was: ramp 300 °C...