{"title":"Reversing band bending at grain boundaries enables high-efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.mtphys.2024.101580","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kesterite solar cells show great potential for sustainable photovoltaic technology, attributed to their excellent semiconductor properties and earth abundant composition. However, undesirable band bending at the grain boundaries (GBs) in Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSn(S,Se)<sub>4</sub> (CZTSSe) films induces serious carrier recombination because of inhomogeneous distribution of S and Se in the grain interiors (GIs) and at GBs, which results in large open-circuit voltage deficit and overall poor performance of CZTSSe solar cells. Here, a robust hydrothermal sulfurization design has successfully inverted the band bending at the GBs, with advanced cathodoluminescence measurement confirming the transition of carrier collection pathways from the GBs to the GIs, thereby achieving efficient carrier collection within the GIs. Simultaneously, this design has effectively passivated the non-radiative recombination in the GIs, smoothing the way for carrier collection. Ultimately, a 13.7 % efficiency CZTSSe solar cell with 44 % improvement is realized by this process. This study discloses that reversing the band bending at GBs is practical to tailor the carrier collection, and thus pave the pathway for high-efficient photoelectronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18253,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":10.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Materials Today Physics","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542529324002566","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Kesterite solar cells show great potential for sustainable photovoltaic technology, attributed to their excellent semiconductor properties and earth abundant composition. However, undesirable band bending at the grain boundaries (GBs) in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) films induces serious carrier recombination because of inhomogeneous distribution of S and Se in the grain interiors (GIs) and at GBs, which results in large open-circuit voltage deficit and overall poor performance of CZTSSe solar cells. Here, a robust hydrothermal sulfurization design has successfully inverted the band bending at the GBs, with advanced cathodoluminescence measurement confirming the transition of carrier collection pathways from the GBs to the GIs, thereby achieving efficient carrier collection within the GIs. Simultaneously, this design has effectively passivated the non-radiative recombination in the GIs, smoothing the way for carrier collection. Ultimately, a 13.7 % efficiency CZTSSe solar cell with 44 % improvement is realized by this process. This study discloses that reversing the band bending at GBs is practical to tailor the carrier collection, and thus pave the pathway for high-efficient photoelectronic devices.
期刊介绍:
Materials Today Physics is a multi-disciplinary journal focused on the physics of materials, encompassing both the physical properties and materials synthesis. Operating at the interface of physics and materials science, this journal covers one of the largest and most dynamic fields within physical science. The forefront research in materials physics is driving advancements in new materials, uncovering new physics, and fostering novel applications at an unprecedented pace.