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Optimization of electrodeposition time on the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films for thin film solar cell applications

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Abstract

The Electrochemical deposition was used to create a quaternary CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) kesterite thin layer. An aqueous solution of CZTS was used to deposit a thin layer over Indium Tin Oxide. The effects of deposition time (variation) on CZTS thin films under ambient conditions were investigated in this study. Several available characterization systems were used to study the samples as they were produced. The polycrystalline description of the layer is investigated by X-ray diffraction. The SEM as well as AFM study show that the deposition time improved surface morphology and topography of CZTS thin films which increase several nm in grain size. Furthermore, depending upon the deposition duration that affect the thickness and crystallinity of the films prepared, the optical study reveals an acceptable band gap in a range of 1.71–1.42 eV. Characteristics of high-quality CZTS absorber layers for solar cell applications are determined by deposition time variation. To check the effect of this band gap variation (1.71–1.42 eV, depending upon the deposition time) on the performance of a CZTS based thin film solar cell, a simulation software SCAPS-1D is being used.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) under GRANT No: 1-8/HEC/HRD/2020/10744 PIN: IRSIP 45 Engg 17. Author Amal Bouich acknowledged the Post-doctoral contract supported by the, RRHH, Postdoctoral contract the Margarita Salas financed with union European Next Generation EU. This research has been funded by Grant PID2019-107137RB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. Author Shafi Ullah acknowledged the post-doctoral contract supported by the, RRHH, postdoctoral contract (PAID-10-20), and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grant Number PID2019-107137RB-C21), Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV) Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Aamir Shafi

  2. Instituto de diseño y Fabricación (IDF), Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain

    Muhammad Aamir Shafi, Amal Bouich, Julia Mari Guaita, Shafi Ullah & Bernabé Mari

  3. Department of Electrical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Aamir Shafi & Laiq Khan

  4. Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal Urdu University, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Aamir Shafi & Hanif Ullah

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  1. Muhammad Aamir Shafi
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  2. Amal Bouich
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  3. Laiq Khan
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  4. Hanif Ullah
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Correspondence to Muhammad Aamir Shafi.

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Shafi, M.A., Bouich, A., Khan, L. et al. Optimization of electrodeposition time on the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films for thin film solar cell applications. Opt Quant Electron 54, 533 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-022-03913-3

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