Is the Cu/Zn disorder the main culprit for the voltage deficit in kesterite solar cells?

Stéphane Bourdais, Christophe Choné, Bruno Delatouche, Alain Jacob, Gerardo Larramona, Camille Moisan, Alain Lafond, Fabrice Donatini, Germain Rey, Susanne Siebentritt, Aron Walsh, Gilles Dennler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

284 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Photovoltaic thin film solar cells based on kesterite Cu2ZnSn(Sx,Se1-x)4 compounds (CZTSSe) have reached >12% sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency. This is still far from the >20% record devices known in Cu(In1-y,Gay)Se2 and CdTe parent technologies. A selection of >9% CZTSSe devices reported in the literature is examined to review the progress achieved over the past few years. These devices suffer from a low open-circuit voltage (Voc) never better than 60% of the Voc max, which is expected from the Shockley-Queisser radiative limit (S-Q limit). The possible role of anionic (S/Se) distribution and of cationic (Cu/Zn) disorder on the Voc deficit and on the ultimate photovoltaic performance of kesterite devices, are clarified here. While the S/Se anionic distribution is expected to be homogeneous for any ratio x, some grain-to-grain and other non-uniformity over larger area can be found, as quantified on our CZTSSe films. Nevertheless, these anionic distributions can be considered to have a negligible impact on the Voc deficit. On the Cu/Zn order side, even though significant bandgap changes (>10%) can be observed, a similar conclusion is brought from experimental devices and from calculations, still within the radiative S-Q limit. The implications and future ways for improvement are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume6
Issue number12
Early online date29 Mar 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • CZTS
  • Disorder
  • Photovoltaics
  • Solar cells
  • Voltage deficit

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