Towards a promising systematic approach to the synthesis of CZTS solar cells

• Main Authors: Najm, A.S., Al-Ghamdi, A., Amin, M.T., Al Ghamdi, A., Moria, H., Holi, A.M., Abed, A.M., AL-Zahrani, A.A., Sopian, K., Bais, B., Sultan, A.J.
• Format: Article
• Published: Nature Research 2023
• Online Access: http://scholars.utp.edu.my/id/eprint/37268/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85171389994&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-023-42641-w&partnerID=40&md5=9adf4c3c03219e46c8ce0803d4355213

This study aims to enhance the CZTS device's overall efficiency, the key research area has been identified in this study is to explore the effects of a novel, low-cost, and simplified, deposition method to improve the optoelectronic properties of the buffer layer in the fabrication of CZTS thin film solar cells. Herein, an effective way of addressing this challenge is through adjusting the absorbers' structure by the concept of doping, sensitized CdS thin film by the bi-functional linker, and an environmentally friendly catalytic green agent. The Linker Assisted and Chemical Bath Deposition (LA-CBD) method was introduced as an innovative and effective hybrid sensitization approach. In the one-step synthesis process, Salvia dye, Ag, and 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were used. Generally, the results for all samples displayed varying bandgap as achieved between (2.21�2.46) eV, hexagonal structure with considerably decreased strain level, broader grain size, and dramatically enhanced crystalline property. Hence, the rudimentary CdS/CZTS solar cell devices were fabricated for the application of these novel CdS films. Preliminary CZTS thin film solar cell fabrication results in the highest conversion efficiency of 0.266 obtained CdS + Salvia dye, indicating the potential use of the CdS films as a buffer layer for CZTS photovoltaic devices. © 2023, Springer Nature Limited.