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Synthesis and surface characterization of electrodeposited quaternary chalcogenide \(\hbox {Cu}_{2}\hbox {Zn}_{x}\hbox {Sn}_{y}\hbox {S}_{1+x+2y}\) thin film as transparent contact electrode

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Abstract

A low-cost technique, electrochemical deposition has been used to grow nanocrystalline quaternary Cu–Zn–Sn–S (CZTS) on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate. Effects of variations in deposition potentials and sulphur content on the chemical composition, optical, morphological, structural and electrical properties of the deposited films have been investigated. The morphologies showed and confirmed the results from XRD analysis that the films are of polycrystalline grains. Average interplanar spacing of the films is 3.376 Å. The average film’s thickness as estimated from Rutherford back-scattered spectroscopy studies was 34 nm. The estimated stoichiometry was found to be that of \(\hbox {Cu}_{{{2}}}\hbox {ZnSnS}_{{{4}}}\) tetragonal kesterite structure. Optical studies showed that the absorption characteristic of the deposited CZTS film across the wavelength region is significantly dependent on growth deposition potentials and electrolyte concentration. Estimated band gap is between 1.75 and 1.81 eV. The electrical studies showed that the deposited films exhibit ohmic characteristics. This study demonstrated successful deposition of tetragonal kesterite structures of CZTS using a two-electrode cell approach. It also revealed the novel route of growing CZTS thin film over the conventional three electrode cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work is based on research supported by The World Academy of Science (TWAS) of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Trieste, Italy. The Grant number is 15-049 RG/PHYS/AF/AC_I-FR3240287081. We kindly appreciate the support of Mr M A Rahman of Chemistry Laboratory, in the Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University. Efforts of members of staff of Materials Science Laboratory in the Department of Physics & Engineering Physics are also acknowledged. We are also thankful to members of staff of Carbon-Technology Laboratory at Department of Physics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, for their assistance on SEM and XRD characterizations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria

    R A Busari, B A Taleatu, S A Adewinbi, O E Adewumi & E Omotoso

  2. Department of Physics, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, 210001, Nigeria

    S A Adewinbi

  3. Department of Physics, Institute of Applied Materials, Carbon Technology and Materials, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 00285, South Africa

    K O Oyedotun

  4. Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria

    R A Busari & A Y Fasasi

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  1. R A Busari
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  2. B A Taleatu
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  4. O E Adewumi
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Correspondence to B A Taleatu.

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Busari, R.A., Taleatu, B.A., Adewinbi, S.A. et al. Synthesis and surface characterization of electrodeposited quaternary chalcogenide \(\hbox {Cu}_{2}\hbox {Zn}_{x}\hbox {Sn}_{y}\hbox {S}_{1+x+2y}\) thin film as transparent contact electrode. Bull Mater Sci 43, 83 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-019-2030-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-019-2030-y

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