Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Photovoltaic Solar Application Study of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se Thin Films by Chemical Bath Deposition Method

Abstract

Inorganic ternary type materials are induced compound is worked as fundamental applications in transformation of the solar light energy into electrical energy. Copper zinc selenide thin films have been synthesized by chemical bath deposition method on to stainless steel plate. The configuration of fabricated cell is p-Cu0.5Zn0.5Se| NaOH(1M) + S(1M) + Na2S(1M) |C(graphite). The Photovoltaic cell characterization of the films is carried out by studying current–voltage characteristics in dark, capacitance–voltage in dark, barrier height measurements, power output, photoresponse and spectral response. The study shows that Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin films are p-type conductivity. The junction ideality factor was found to be 2.93. The flat band potential was found to be -0.708V. The barrier height value was found to be 0.186 eV. The study of power output characteristic shows open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor and efficiency were found to be 150 mV, 21 μA, 42.13%, and 0.63%, respectively. Photoresponse shows lighted ideality factor is 2.89. Spectral response shows the maximum current observed at 580 nm.

Keywords:
CBD; Power output; Photo response; Flat band potential; Spectral response


1. Introduction

Due to the energy crises in the world and increasing demand of energy it is the need of our situation to develop new type of solar energy sources11 Bhapkar UV, Mattauch RJ. Numerical simulation of the current-voltage characteristics of heteroepitaxial Schottky-barrier diodes. IEEE Trans Electron Devices. 1993;40(6):1038-1046.. Conversion devices which have high power and energy density, which could the alternative source in the form of renewable energy22 Buch F, Fahrenbruch AL, Bube RH. Photovoltaic properties of five II–VI heterojunctions. J Appl Phys. 1977;48:1596-1602.. In the world’s energy demand is continuously increasing due to the rapid increase in population and decreasing in the natural sources, which is in the form of fossil fuels33 Bube RH, Buch F, Fahrenbruch AL, Ma YY, Mitchell W. Photovoltaic energy conversion with n-CdS-p-CdTe heterojunctions and other II–VI junctions. IEEE Trans Electron Devices. 1977;24(4):487-492.. Copper zinc selenide is a narrow band gap material at room temperature. It is efficiently used in black, and red-light emitting diodes, photovoltaics, laser screens, thin film transistor and Photovoltaic cells44 Katagiri H, Sasaguchi N, Hando Oshino S, Ohashi J, Yokota T. Energy efficiency of photovoltaic cell based. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 1997;49:407-14.

5 Rathod KC. Optical structural and morphological studies of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin film deposited by chemical bath deposition method. J. Material Today: Proceedings. 2020;23:260-6.

6 Tanaka T, Kawasaki D, Nishio M, Guo Q, Ogawa H. Fabrication of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films by co-evaporation. Phys Status Solid C. 2006;3(8):2844-7.
-77 Katagiri H, Sasaguchi N, Hando S, Hoshino S, Ohashi J, Yokota T. Preparation and evaluation of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films by sulfurization of E–B evaporated precursors. In: 9th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference; Miyazaki. Proceedings. Miyazaki: International PVSEC-9; 1996. pp. 745-6.. In Photovoltaic cells (PVC), the interface which forms on mere dipping the semiconductor into electrolyte solution and the liquid junction potential barrier can be easily established. Polycrystalline semiconductor films can also be used without any drastic decrease in efficiency88 Potlog T, Spalatu N, Fedorov V, Maticiuc N, Antoniuc C, Botnariuc V, et al. The performance of thin film solar cells employing photovoltaic ZnSe/CdTe, CdS/CdTe and ZnTe/CdTe heterojunctions. In: 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC); 2011 June 19-24; Seattle. Proceedings. Seattle: Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2011; pp. 1365-70.. This is probably due to the intimate and perfect contact of liquid electrolyte with the crystalline grains. Thus, PVC cells provide an economic chemical route for trapping solar energy99 Chandra S. Photoelectrochemical solar cells. London: Gordan and Breach; 1984.. Along with PVC the semiconductor electrolyte -interface may be used for photoelectrolysis, photocatalysis and Photovoltaic power generation1010 Katagiri H, Saito K, Washio T, Shinohara H, Kurumadani T, Miyajima S. Development of thin film solar cell based on Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2001;65:141-8.. The properties of such systems are mainly dependent on the interface formed between the semiconductor electrode and electrolyte. Hence from material point of view, the microstructure of the photoelectrode surface is of main importance1111 Seol J, Lee S, Nam H, Kim K. Electrical and optical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering process. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2003;75:155-62.. The advantage of PVC cells is simpler to make as compared to the p–n junctions which require highly pure semiconducting material1212 Shashidhara A, Kasturi VB, Shivakumar GK. Electrical characterization of vacuum-deposited p-CdTe/n- ZnSe heterojunction. J Appl Nanosci. 2015;5:1003-7.,1313 Christoper EH, Dennis JF, Andrew RB. Thin film CdSe/CuSe photovoltaic on a flexible single walled carbon nanotube substrate. Chem Chem Phys. 2013;15:3930-8.. Ternary chalcogenide is combined by utilizing different strategies. While Mo(S1-xSex)2 have been accounted for by utilizing arrested precipitation technique (APT), CdIn2Se4, CuInS2 by Spray Pyrolysis1414 Nikale VM, Suryavanshi UB, Bhosale CH. Effect of substrate temperature on spray deposited CdIn2Se4 thin films. Mater Sci Eng B. 2006;134:94.,1515 Bhuse VM, Hankare PP, Sonandkar S. Structural, optical, electrical and photo-electrochemical studies on indium doped Cd0.6Hg0.4Se thin films. Mater Chem Phys. 2011;101(2-3): 303-9., Cu(InGa)Se2 thin films fabricated by means of single-target sputtering method1616 Zhang S, Wu L, Yue R, Yan Z, Zhan H, Xiang Y. Effects of Sb-doping on the grain growth of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 thin films fabricated by means of single-target sputterin. Thin Solid Films. 2013;527:137. and InAlAs:Sb by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy1717 Gaur ML, Bhuse VM, Sanadi KR. Antimony induced Cd0.4Co0.6Se thin films: Study of photovoltaic performance vy simple chemically grown method. Optik. 2021;227: 166057..

We report here the successful deposition of crystalline copper zinc selenide thin films by chemical bath deposition technique. Growth mechanism, structural, morphological, compositional, optical, electrical and thermoelectrical properties are studied55 Rathod KC. Optical structural and morphological studies of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin film deposited by chemical bath deposition method. J. Material Today: Proceedings. 2020;23:260-6.. This paper is devoted to Photovoltaic performance of chemically deposited Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photo electrode. I–V, C–V characteristics, barrier height measurements, power out curves, photoresponse, and spectral response parameters are studied.

2. Experimental Details

2.1. Construction and working of solar cell

A solar cell is a device that directly converts the energy of light into electricity energy through the photovoltaic effect is shown in Figure 1. Solar cells or photovoltaic cells are made based on the principle of the photovoltaic effect. They convert sunlight into direct current electricity. But single photovoltaic cell does produce enough amount of electricity. A solar cell is basically a junction diode although its construction it is little bit different from conventional p-n junction didoes is shown in Figure 2. A very thin layer of p-type semiconductor is grown on a one side and another side grown on a thick layer of the n-type semiconductor. Then apply a few finer electrodes on the top of the p-type semiconductor layer. These electrodes do not obstruct light to reach the thin p-type layer there is a p-n junction. Then we also provide a current collecting electrode at the bottom of the n-type layer. As the concentration of electrons becomes higher in n-type side of the junction and concentration of holes becomes more in another p-type side. A voltage is set up which is known as photo voltage and it connect a small load across the junction and there will be a tiny current flowing through it.

Figure 1
Construction and working of solar cell.
Figure 2
Formation of the p-n junction diode in the solar cell.

2.2. Preparation of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photovoltaic electrode

All the chemicals used for the deposition were analytical grade. It includes copper sulphate pentahydrate, zinc sulphate, tartaric acid, liquor ammonia, sodium sulfite and selenium powder. All the solutions were prepared in double distilled water. Sodium selenosulphate was prepared by the following the method reported earlier1818 Pathan HM, Lokhande CD. Chemical deposition and characterization of copper indium diselenide (CISe) thin films. J Applied Surf Sci. 2005;245:328.,1919 Hankare PP, Khomane AS, Chate PA, Rathod KC, Garadkar KM. Preparation of copper selenide thin films by simple chemical route at low temperature and their characterization. J Alloys Compd. 2009;469:478.. The deposition of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin films were made from a reactive solution obtained by mixing 5mL (0.2M) copper sulphate, 5 mL (0.2M) zinc sulphate, 2.5 mL (1M) tartaric acid, and 10 mL (0.25M) sodium selenosulphate and finally diluted to 80 mL by adding double distilled water. The beaker containing the reactive solution was kept at room temperature. The pH of the resulting solution was found to be 10 ±0.05. Four cleaned stainless-steel substrates were positioned vertically on a specially designed substrate holder and rotated in a reactive solution with a speed of 60±2 rpm. Figure 3. is shown in the experimental setup of the thin film deposition. The temperature of the solution was then allowed to rise slowly to 300 K. After seven hours, the stainless-steel substrates were removed, washed several times with double distilled water, dried naturally preserved in dark desiccators over anhydrous CaCl2. The resultant films were homogenous, well adherent to stainless steel substrate.

Figure 3
Experimental setup of CBD method deposition of thin film.

2.3. Fabrication of Photovoltaic cell

Photovoltaic cell consisting in three electrode configurations are used in this experiment. Cu0.5Zn0.5Se as photo anode, CoS-treated graphite rod as a counter electrode. This electrode acts as a photocathode. A calomel electrode was used as reference electrode and sulphide–polysulphide as electrolyte is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4
A Schematic diagram of photovoltaic solar cell electrode.

2.4. Characterization of PVC cell

The type of conductivity exhibited by the film is determined by nothing the polarity of the emf developed in PVC cell under illumination. The illuminated area of electrode was 3.0 cm2. The Mott–Schottky plot is used to determine the flat band potential One-kilohertz frequency is used to determine the flat band potential. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristic in dark has been plotted. The junction ideality factor has been determined by plotting the graph of log I versus V. The fill factor and power conversion efficiency of the cell is calculated from photovoltaic power output characteristics. The power output characteristic has been obtained for a PVC cell at a constant illumination of 30 mW/cm2. The barrier height was examined from temperature dependence of reverse saturation current at different temperature. Light ideality factor was measured from photoresponse. Spectral response was determined by measuring short circuit current as well as open circuit voltage as function of incident light.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Conductivity type

A photovoltaic cell with configuration p- Cu0.5Zn0.5Se | NaOH (1M) + S (1M) + Na2S (1M) | C(graphite) was formed. Photovoltaic cell shows dark voltage and dark current even in the dark. The polarity of this dark voltage was negative towards semiconductor electrode. The sign of the photovoltage gives the conductivity type of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se. This suggests that Cu0.5Zn0.5Se is an p-type conductor which has also been proved from TEP measurement studies55 Rathod KC. Optical structural and morphological studies of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin film deposited by chemical bath deposition method. J. Material Today: Proceedings. 2020;23:260-6.,2020 Mauk PH, Tavakolian H, Sites JR. Interpretation of thin-film polycrystalline solar cell capacitance. IEEE Trans Electron Dev. 1990;37(2):422-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/16.46377.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/16.46377...
.

3.2. I–V characteristics in dark

Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Photovoltaic cell in dark have been studied at 305 K and shown in Figure 5 show I-V curves for the films with composition of Cu/Zn = 0.5. The characteristics are non-symmetrical indicating the formation of rectifying type junction2121 Bhuse VM, Hankar PP, Garadkar KM, Khomane AS. A simple, convenient, low temperature route to grow polycrystalline copper selenide thin films. J Mater Chem Phys. 2003;80:82.. Using famous ideal Schottky diode equation junction ideality factor is calculated from the equation2222 Lade SJ, Uplane MD, Lokhande CD. Growth and characterization of nanocrystalline CdSe thin films deposited by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. J Mater Chem Phys. 2001;68:36.,2323 Deshmukh LP, Shahane GS. CdS-Se thin film electrodes: an electrochemical photovoltaic study. Int J Electron. 1997;83:341..

I = I 0 e ev / n d kT (1)

Where, I, is the forward current in dark, I0, reverse saturation current, v, applied forward bias voltage and nd is the junction ideality factor. The value of junction ideality factor (nd) can be determined of the linear regions of the log I versus volt (V) are shown in Figure 6. Slop of the variation is divided by the 16.8736 then junction ideality factor was found to be 2.93. The nd values were found to be higher than the ideal value, a common fact found in many polycrystalline photoelectrode materials and is indication of the fact that the current transport across the interface has the influence of other kinds of recombination mechanisms and series resistance effect the former is due to the presence of the surface states2424 Gutierrez MT, Ortega J. Characterization and photoelectrochemical properties of chemical bath deposited n-PbS thin films. Sol Energy Mater. 1990;20:387.,2525 Al AM, Al Dhafiri AAI. 8.6% Efficiency CZTSSe solar cell with atomic layer deposited Zn-Sn-O buffer layer. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 1994;33:4865..

Figure 5
I–V characteristics of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode (in dark).
Figure 6
Determination of junction ideality factor of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

3.3. C–V characteristics in dark

The measurements of capacitance as a function of applied voltage provided useful information such as type of conductivity, depletion layer width and flat band potential (Vfb). The flat band potential of a semiconductor gives information of the relative position of the Fermi levels in photoelectrode as well as the influence of electrolyte and charge transfer process across the junction. This is also useful to measure the maximum open circuit voltage (Voc) that can be obtained from a cell. Measured capacitance is the sum of the capacitance due to depletion layers and Helmholtz layer in electrolyte which is neglected by assuming high ionic concentration2626 Le Meur MA, Cuniot M, Rommeluere JF, Tromson-Carli A, Triboulet R, Marfaing Y. Advances in HgCdTe N-P-N-P photoconductive structures. J Cryst Growth. 1998;184-185:1279-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(98)80265-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(98)...
. Under such circumstances, Vfb can be obtained using Mott–Schottky relation by standardizing with saturated calomel electrode.

C 2 = 2 / q ε s ε 0 N d × V V fb kT / q (2)

Where the terms involved have meaning, C-2 is space charge capacitance per unit area, q the electronic charge, εs is the dielectric constant of the semiconductor electrode, ε0 is the permittivity of the free space, Nd the donor density, k the Boltzmann constant, T the absolute temperature, V the applied potential and Vfb is the flat band potential. The 1/C-2 against voltage (V) (Mott-Schottky plot) were constructed for the sample and are shown in Figure 7. It is observed that the flat band potential become more positive versus SCE as Zn2+ concentration in the electrode ratio of Cu/Zn = 0.5 there after it saturates and diminishes. This fact may be correlated to the decrease in the electron affinity as a result of introduction of Zn2+ ions in the lattice of CuSe an increased amount of surface adsorption and creation of new acceptor levels. All these effects are responsible for band bending observed in the semiconductor electrode. The nature of plot suggests the presence of two regions corresponding to shallow and deep donor levels2727 Lour WS, Chang CC. VPE grown ZnSeSi PIN-like visible photodiodes. Solid-State Electron. 1996;39:1295-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)00033-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)...
. Intercepts of plots on voltage axis determine the flat band potential value. The flat band potential value found to be -0.708 V for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se –polysulphide redox electrolyte, which is a measure of electrode potential at which band bending is zero. The non-linear nature of the graph is an indication of graded junction formation between Cu0.5Zn0.5Se and polysulphide electrolyte.

Figure 7
C–V plots (Mott-Schottky plots) of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

3.4. Barrier height measurements

The barrier height was determined by measuring the reverse saturation current (Io) through the junction at different temperature from 323 to 303 K. The reverse saturation current flowing through junction is related to temperature as,2222 Lade SJ, Uplane MD, Lokhande CD. Growth and characterization of nanocrystalline CdSe thin films deposited by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. J Mater Chem Phys. 2001;68:36.,2323 Deshmukh LP, Shahane GS. CdS-Se thin film electrodes: an electrochemical photovoltaic study. Int J Electron. 1997;83:341.,2727 Lour WS, Chang CC. VPE grown ZnSeSi PIN-like visible photodiodes. Solid-State Electron. 1996;39:1295-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)00033-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)...

I 0 = AT 2 exp Φ β / kT (3)

Where, A is Richardson constant, k the Boltzmann constant, Φβ is the barrier height in eV. To the determination of the barrier height of the photoelectrode, a graph of log (I0/T2) with 1000/T was plotted. The plot of log (I0/T2) with 1000/T for representative sample is shown in Figure 8. The values of barrier height were determined from the linear regions of the plots. The observed nonlinearity of plots in high temperature regions can attributed to Pool-Frankel type of conduction mechanism2828 Spalatu N, Serban D, Potlog T. ZnSe films prepared by the close-spaced sublimation and their influence on ZnSe/CdTe solar cell performance. In: International Semiconductor Conference (CAS); 2011 Oct 17; Sinaia. Proceedings. Sinaia: CAS; 2011. pp. 445-54.. From the slope of the linear region of plots, the barrier height was determined. The barrier height value is found to be 0.186 eV.

Figure 8
Determination of barrier height measurement of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

3.5. Power output characteristics

When a photovoltaic solar cell is illuminated with the light constant intensity of the current voltage characteristics shift in the four quadrant this behavior is in accordance with the theory of solar cells acting as electricity generator. As the Photovoltaic cell may operate over a wide range of voltages and currents. By applying the resistive load on an irradiated cell continuously from a short circuit to a very high value of open circuit it is possible to determine the maximum power point (Pm = Vm X Im), that is the load for which the cell can deliver maximum electrical power. The Energy conversion efficiency (ƞ ‘eta’) of a cell is the percentage of power converted of the observed light to electrical energy, and collected and are shown by the following equation.

n = P m / E × A c (4)

Where E is power of input light (mW/cm-2 ) and Ac is the surface area of the cell in cm2 .Another measuring term in the overall behavior of a cell is the fill factor (ff), which is the ratio of the maximum power (Vm X Im) divided by the short circuit current (Isc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) in light current voltage (I-V) characteristics of the cells can be measured by the following equation.

ff = p m / V oc × I sc = η × E × A c / V oc × I sc (5)

The photovoltaic power output characteristics for a cell under illumination of 30 mW/cm2 shows Figure 9. The maximum power output of the cell is given by the largest rectangle that can be drawn inside the curve. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current are found to be 150 mV and 21 μA, respectively. The power efficiency conversion factor can be studied by the following equation.

η max = V redox V fb × e / E g (6)

Where Vfb is the flat band potential, Vredox the electrolyte redox potential and Eg is the energy band gap. It is important to note here that Voc and ƞ depends on Vfb and Eg. The magnitude of ƞ and ff increases with the ratio of Cu/Zn is 0.5. The calculated fill factor is 42.13%. The power conversion efficiency is found to be 0.63%. The low efficiency may be due high series resistance and interface states which are responsible for recombination mechanism. The value of series resistance and shunt resistance are found to be 796 (Ω) and 500 (Ω), respectively. In this situation, the Photogenerated charge carriers can move in both the direction. Lee et.al.2929 Lee Y, Gray J. Photovoltaic solar energy conference. In: 12th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference; 1994 April 11-15; Amsterdam. Proceedings. Bedford: Stephens; 1994. pp. 1561-4. reported that the photogenerated electrons for the cell with p-type photoanode, any increase in the value of Vfb corresponds to increase in the value of open circuit photo potential of the p-type material either recombine readily with holes into the electrolyte, instead of flowing through external circuit.

Figure 9
Power output curves for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

3.6. Photoresponse

The PVC cell towards light, the cell was illuminated with light of different intensity. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current were measured as function of light intensity. Figure 10 shows variation of shot circuit current (Isc) as a function of light intensity, whereas, Figure 11 shows the variation of open circuit voltage as a function of light intensity. The photoresponse measurements showed a logarithmic variation of open circuit voltage with the incident light intensity. However, at higher intensities, saturation in open circuit voltage was observed, which can be attributed to the saturation of the electrolyte interface, charge transfer and non-equilibrium distribution of electrons and holes in the space charge region of the photoelectrode. But short circuit current follows almost a straight-line path. The photoelectrode–electrolyte interface can be modeled as a Schottky barrier solar cell3030 McElhany P, Arch J. Numerical simulation of Cu2ZnSnS4 based solar cells with In2S3 buffer layers by SCAPS-1D. Appl Phys. 1988;64:1254. and it is therefore possible to represent the current–voltage relationship as;

I = I ph I d = I ph I 0 exp qV / n d kT 1 (7)

Where I is the net current density, ‘Iph the photocurrent densities, ‘Idthe dark current density, Io the reverse saturation current density, V the applied bias voltage and nd is the junction ideality factor. In bias voltage condition V>3kT/q and at equilibrium open circuit conditions.

Iph = Id and V = Voc thus,

V oc = n L kT / q × ln I sc / I 0 (8)

where Voc is the open circuit voltage and Isc is the short circuit current. As Isc >> Io, a plot of log Isc against Voc should give a straight line and from the slope of the line the lighted ideality factor can be determined. The plot of log Isc with Voc for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photo electrode is shown in Figure 12. The slope of the variation is multiplied by 1.68523 and lighted ideality factor was found to be 2.89.

Figure 10
Photo response as a function of short circuit current for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.
Figure 11
Photo response as a function of open circuit voltage for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.
Figure 12
Determination of lighted ideality factor for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

3.7. Spectral response

Photovoltaic cell is one of the most powerful techniques to measure the performance of the spectral response cell qualitatively. Therefore, the spectral response of a cell has been recorded in the 400–920 nm wavelength range. The photocurrent action spectra were examined and are shown in Figure 13. It is seen that spectra attain maximum value of current at λ = 580 nm and decreases with increase in wavelength. The decrease in current on longer wavelength side may be attributed to non-optimized thickness and transition between defect levels. The maximum current is obtained corresponding to λ = 580 nm gives band gap value 1.9 eV for agreeing with the results of optical absorption studies55 Rathod KC. Optical structural and morphological studies of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin film deposited by chemical bath deposition method. J. Material Today: Proceedings. 2020;23:260-6.,1010 Katagiri H, Saito K, Washio T, Shinohara H, Kurumadani T, Miyajima S. Development of thin film solar cell based on Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2001;65:141-8.,1919 Hankare PP, Khomane AS, Chate PA, Rathod KC, Garadkar KM. Preparation of copper selenide thin films by simple chemical route at low temperature and their characterization. J Alloys Compd. 2009;469:478..

Figure 13
Determination of spectral response for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photoelectrode.

4. Conclusion

The Photovoltaic solar cells with the photoanode of the type Cu0.5Zn0.5Se have been constructed and investigated for the cell properties as a function of photoelectrode composition Cu/Zn ratio 0.5. The results indicated that for the Cu0.5Zn0.5Se efficiency and the fill factor were increased to 0.63% to 42.13% respectively. The observed enhancement due to increased open-circuit voltage, and improved photoelectrode absorption. The observed conversion efficiencies are found to be lower due to lack of post preparative treatments. The solar cell can be easily fabricated using Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photo anode, sulphide–polysulphide as electrolyte, CoS-treated graphite rod as a counter electrode. A saturated calomel electrode was used a reference electrode. The various performance parameters were determined for Cu0.5Zn0.5Se photo electrode.

5. Acknowledgments

One of the author (KCR) thankfully acknowledge to Dr. V. M. Patil, the Principal, The New college, Kolhapur for providing all facilities to do this work.

6. References

  • 1
    Bhapkar UV, Mattauch RJ. Numerical simulation of the current-voltage characteristics of heteroepitaxial Schottky-barrier diodes. IEEE Trans Electron Devices. 1993;40(6):1038-1046.
  • 2
    Buch F, Fahrenbruch AL, Bube RH. Photovoltaic properties of five II–VI heterojunctions. J Appl Phys. 1977;48:1596-1602.
  • 3
    Bube RH, Buch F, Fahrenbruch AL, Ma YY, Mitchell W. Photovoltaic energy conversion with n-CdS-p-CdTe heterojunctions and other II–VI junctions. IEEE Trans Electron Devices. 1977;24(4):487-492.
  • 4
    Katagiri H, Sasaguchi N, Hando Oshino S, Ohashi J, Yokota T. Energy efficiency of photovoltaic cell based. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 1997;49:407-14.
  • 5
    Rathod KC. Optical structural and morphological studies of Cu0.5Zn0.5Se thin film deposited by chemical bath deposition method. J. Material Today: Proceedings. 2020;23:260-6.
  • 6
    Tanaka T, Kawasaki D, Nishio M, Guo Q, Ogawa H. Fabrication of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films by co-evaporation. Phys Status Solid C. 2006;3(8):2844-7.
  • 7
    Katagiri H, Sasaguchi N, Hando S, Hoshino S, Ohashi J, Yokota T. Preparation and evaluation of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films by sulfurization of E–B evaporated precursors. In: 9th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference; Miyazaki. Proceedings. Miyazaki: International PVSEC-9; 1996. pp. 745-6.
  • 8
    Potlog T, Spalatu N, Fedorov V, Maticiuc N, Antoniuc C, Botnariuc V, et al. The performance of thin film solar cells employing photovoltaic ZnSe/CdTe, CdS/CdTe and ZnTe/CdTe heterojunctions. In: 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC); 2011 June 19-24; Seattle. Proceedings. Seattle: Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2011; pp. 1365-70.
  • 9
    Chandra S. Photoelectrochemical solar cells. London: Gordan and Breach; 1984.
  • 10
    Katagiri H, Saito K, Washio T, Shinohara H, Kurumadani T, Miyajima S. Development of thin film solar cell based on Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2001;65:141-8.
  • 11
    Seol J, Lee S, Nam H, Kim K. Electrical and optical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering process. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2003;75:155-62.
  • 12
    Shashidhara A, Kasturi VB, Shivakumar GK. Electrical characterization of vacuum-deposited p-CdTe/n- ZnSe heterojunction. J Appl Nanosci. 2015;5:1003-7.
  • 13
    Christoper EH, Dennis JF, Andrew RB. Thin film CdSe/CuSe photovoltaic on a flexible single walled carbon nanotube substrate. Chem Chem Phys. 2013;15:3930-8.
  • 14
    Nikale VM, Suryavanshi UB, Bhosale CH. Effect of substrate temperature on spray deposited CdIn2Se4 thin films. Mater Sci Eng B. 2006;134:94.
  • 15
    Bhuse VM, Hankare PP, Sonandkar S. Structural, optical, electrical and photo-electrochemical studies on indium doped Cd0.6Hg0.4Se thin films. Mater Chem Phys. 2011;101(2-3): 303-9.
  • 16
    Zhang S, Wu L, Yue R, Yan Z, Zhan H, Xiang Y. Effects of Sb-doping on the grain growth of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 thin films fabricated by means of single-target sputterin. Thin Solid Films. 2013;527:137.
  • 17
    Gaur ML, Bhuse VM, Sanadi KR. Antimony induced Cd0.4Co0.6Se thin films: Study of photovoltaic performance vy simple chemically grown method. Optik. 2021;227: 166057.
  • 18
    Pathan HM, Lokhande CD. Chemical deposition and characterization of copper indium diselenide (CISe) thin films. J Applied Surf Sci. 2005;245:328.
  • 19
    Hankare PP, Khomane AS, Chate PA, Rathod KC, Garadkar KM. Preparation of copper selenide thin films by simple chemical route at low temperature and their characterization. J Alloys Compd. 2009;469:478.
  • 20
    Mauk PH, Tavakolian H, Sites JR. Interpretation of thin-film polycrystalline solar cell capacitance. IEEE Trans Electron Dev. 1990;37(2):422-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/16.46377
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/16.46377
  • 21
    Bhuse VM, Hankar PP, Garadkar KM, Khomane AS. A simple, convenient, low temperature route to grow polycrystalline copper selenide thin films. J Mater Chem Phys. 2003;80:82.
  • 22
    Lade SJ, Uplane MD, Lokhande CD. Growth and characterization of nanocrystalline CdSe thin films deposited by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. J Mater Chem Phys. 2001;68:36.
  • 23
    Deshmukh LP, Shahane GS. CdS-Se thin film electrodes: an electrochemical photovoltaic study. Int J Electron. 1997;83:341.
  • 24
    Gutierrez MT, Ortega J. Characterization and photoelectrochemical properties of chemical bath deposited n-PbS thin films. Sol Energy Mater. 1990;20:387.
  • 25
    Al AM, Al Dhafiri AAI. 8.6% Efficiency CZTSSe solar cell with atomic layer deposited Zn-Sn-O buffer layer. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 1994;33:4865.
  • 26
    Le Meur MA, Cuniot M, Rommeluere JF, Tromson-Carli A, Triboulet R, Marfaing Y. Advances in HgCdTe N-P-N-P photoconductive structures. J Cryst Growth. 1998;184-185:1279-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(98)80265-0
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(98)80265-0
  • 27
    Lour WS, Chang CC. VPE grown ZnSeSi PIN-like visible photodiodes. Solid-State Electron. 1996;39:1295-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)00033-0
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0038-1101(96)00033-0
  • 28
    Spalatu N, Serban D, Potlog T. ZnSe films prepared by the close-spaced sublimation and their influence on ZnSe/CdTe solar cell performance. In: International Semiconductor Conference (CAS); 2011 Oct 17; Sinaia. Proceedings. Sinaia: CAS; 2011. pp. 445-54.
  • 29
    Lee Y, Gray J. Photovoltaic solar energy conference. In: 12th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference; 1994 April 11-15; Amsterdam. Proceedings. Bedford: Stephens; 1994. pp. 1561-4.
  • 30
    McElhany P, Arch J. Numerical simulation of Cu2ZnSnS4 based solar cells with In2S3 buffer layers by SCAPS-1D. Appl Phys. 1988;64:1254.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    24 Jan 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    30 May 2021
  • Reviewed
    24 Aug 2021
  • Accepted
    13 Oct 2021
ABM, ABC, ABPol UFSCar - Dep. de Engenharia de Materiais, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235, 13565-905 - São Carlos - SP- Brasil. Tel (55 16) 3351-9487 - São Carlos - SP - Brazil
E-mail: pessan@ufscar.br