Copper indium gallium disulphide (CuInGaS\(_{2}\)) thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis for solar cells: influence of deposition time in controlling properties of sprayed CuInGaS\(_{2}\) absorbers

  • Ahmed Kotbi
  • Bouchaib Hartiti
  • Salah Fadili
  • Abderraouf Ridah
  • Philippe Thevenin
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Abstract

CuInGaS\(_{2}\) (CIGS) multi-component semiconductors thin films were elaborated by spray pyrolysis on glass substrates using different spray times. The structural, optical and electrical properties of CuInGaS\(_{2}\) thin films were investigated. The obtained films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy (RS), UV–Vis spectrophotometer and Hall Effect measurement. Thin films were formed by varying deposition time in the range, 30–50 min, keeping other deposition parameters as constant. The X-ray spectra revealed that the CuInGaS\(_{2}\) thin films have chalcopyrite structures with a highly (112) preferential orientation. The best crystallinity is obtained for HK-50 the maximum (112) peak intensity. RS also confirmed this structure. Optical constants such as band gap (E\(_{g}\)), extinction coefficient (k), refractive index (n), dielectric constants (\(\varepsilon _{r}\)) and (\(\varepsilon _{i}\)) and optical conductivity (\(\sigma _{opt}\)) were calculated from the measured transmittance and absorption spectra in the wavelength range between 550 and 900 nm. The bulk concentration, mobility (\(\mu\)), conductivity (\(\sigma\)), resistivity (\(\rho\)) and conduction type of thin films obtained at different deposition times were determined using Hall Effect measurements. It has been observed that the optimum time of spray was 50 min for best performed CuInGaS\(_{2}\) thin films with low resistivity and high mobility. Deposition time has been discussed to obtain the high quality thin film absorbers for solar cell applications. Here, we report a study on structural, optical and electrical properties of CuInGaS\(_{2}\) films grown by chemical spray pyrolysis in view of its application as an absorber in thin film solar cells.

Keywords

CuInGaS\(_{2}\) Thin films Spray pyrolysis Refractive index Transmittance Absorption 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Prof. Bouchaib HARTITI, Senior Associate at ICTP (The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics), is very grateful to ICTP for financial support.

The authors thank researchers from LMOPS laboratory, department of physics, University of Lorraine (Metz, France) for Raman spectra and transmission measurements.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ahmed Kotbi
    • 1
    • 2
  • Bouchaib Hartiti
    • 1
  • Salah Fadili
    • 1
  • Abderraouf Ridah
    • 2
  • Philippe Thevenin
    • 3
  1. 1.MAC&PM Laboratory, ANEPMAER Group, FSTMHassan II Casablanca UniversityMohammediaMorocco
  2. 2.LIMAT Laboratory, Department of Physics, FSBHassan II Casablanca UniversityCasablancaMorocco
  3. 3.LMOPS Laboratory, Department of PhysicsUniversity of LorraineMetzFrance

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