Deposition of Cu2ZnSnS4 layers by a novel single flash thermal evaporator from mixture element powder

Abstract

This research studies the deposition ability of Cu2ZnSnS4 from a mixed element powder and without sulfurization by a novel flash single thermal evaporator technique. Elemental powders of the source, S, Sn, Zn, and Cu, are held in an evaporation boat to mix their vapour together and to evaporate the mixture at a high temperature. The effect of substrate temperature on the thin layers structure properties, optical properties and surface morphology is explored by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, atomic force microscopy, and UV-Vis -NIR spectroscopy. Cu2ZnSnS4 films of kesterite structures are fabricated successfully at various substrate temperatures by this technique in one step without a sulfurization process. The substrate temperatures affect the composition and optical properties of the prepared layers by changing the concentration of elements and crystallinity. The layer prepared at 250°C exhibits an optimal stoichiometry and an optical bandgap value of 1.51 eV.

Keywords

• Cu2ZnSnS4 layers
• flash thermal evaporator
• kesterite structures
• solar cells
• thin films