Electrochemical routes to earth-abundant photovoltaics: A minireview

Electrodeposition has considerable potential for application in the fabrication of low cost thin film solar cells. The expected demand for earth-abundant replacements for the rare, toxic or expensive materials currently used in thin film solar cells has stimulated research into electrochemical preparation of the different component layers (absorber, buffer, window) in the emerging area of earth-abundant photovoltaics. Recent progress in this rapidly developing area is reviewed with particular emphasis on the kesterites Cu₂ZnSnS₄ and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄.