7. Progress in thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) based on Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)

CZTS is a material, which has been found in nature. Figure 16 shows the content and the world trading price of the elements used in light absorbers CdTe, Cu2ZnSnS4, and CuInSe2 for thin film solar cells [25, 39–49]. It shares similar structure which the chalcopyrite materials CuInS expect that half of the in is replaced with Zn and Sn. Crystallographically speaking, CZTS has two principal structures known as stannite-type and keasterit-type. The two structures are similar expect the different arrangement of Cu and Zn atoms. However, CZTS materials usually appear in keasterit phase because it is more stable.

Thermal dynamically compared to the stannite-type. The evolution of the power conversion efficiency of CZTS based solar cells is summarized in Figure 17.

The recorded power conversion efficiency of CZTSSe solar cells (12.6% reported in 2013) remains significantly than that of CIGSe (22.6%).

In order to improve the efficiency of CZTS based TFSCs, a deep research of CZTS based TFSCs and the fundamental properties of CZTS, particularly the nature of defects as well as their influence on the performance of CZTS materials is crucial. CZTS TFSCs, which have produced good efficiency normally, show Cu-poor/Zn-rich in composition. Therefore, secondly, phase should exist in the light absorber. It is necessary to identify those second phases and their defects in order to optimize the fabrication process to make CZTS thin-films with desired properties.

Figure 17. Evolution of the conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells using CZTS as light absorber layer.

Figure 16. Content and the world trading price of the elements used in light absorbers CdTe, Cu2ZnSnS4, and CuInSe2 for

Some Essential Issues and Outlook for Industrialization of Cu-III-VI2 Thin-Film Solar Cells

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77023

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thin film solar cells.

Some Essential Issues and Outlook for Industrialization of Cu-III-VI2 Thin-Film Solar Cells http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77023 145

Figure 16. Content and the world trading price of the elements used in light absorbers CdTe, Cu2ZnSnS4, and CuInSe2 for thin film solar cells.

7. Progress in thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) based on Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)

materials usually appear in keasterit phase because it is more stable.

efficiency of CZTS based solar cells is summarized in Figure 17.

remains significantly than that of CIGSe (22.6%).

Table 4. Summary of failure as observed for CIGS.

144 Emerging Solar Energy Materials

CZTS is a material, which has been found in nature. Figure 16 shows the content and the world trading price of the elements used in light absorbers CdTe, Cu2ZnSnS4, and CuInSe2 for thin film solar cells [25, 39–49]. It shares similar structure which the chalcopyrite materials CuInS expect that half of the in is replaced with Zn and Sn. Crystallographically speaking, CZTS has two principal structures known as stannite-type and keasterit-type. The two structures are similar expect the different arrangement of Cu and Zn atoms. However, CZTS

Thermal dynamically compared to the stannite-type. The evolution of the power conversion

The recorded power conversion efficiency of CZTSSe solar cells (12.6% reported in 2013)

In order to improve the efficiency of CZTS based TFSCs, a deep research of CZTS based TFSCs and the fundamental properties of CZTS, particularly the nature of defects as well as their influence on the performance of CZTS materials is crucial. CZTS TFSCs, which have produced good efficiency normally, show Cu-poor/Zn-rich in composition. Therefore, secondly, phase should exist in the light absorber. It is necessary to identify those second phases and their defects in order to optimize the fabrication process to make CZTS thin-films with desired properties.

Figure 17. Evolution of the conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells using CZTS as light absorber layer.
