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Solution-processed sphere-like Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles for solar cells: effect of oleylamine concentration on properties

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Abstract

Quaternary Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles of high quality have been synthesized utilizing rotary evaporation technique. The volume of the solvent, oleylamine (OLM), was found to affect the morphological, structural and electrical characteristics of the synthesized structures. The materials were characterized using various analytical techniques. XRD patterns and Raman measurements reveal that CZTS nanoparticles exist in a crystalline state with a kesterite structure. For OLM of 6 mL, transmission electron microscopy reveals the formation of spherical CZTS nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the nanocrystal thin films clearly shows a crack-free, uniform-grain thin film with a particle size in the range between 1 and 2 µm. Ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) spectra showed a direct band gap of 1.47 eV, which is close to the optimum value required for photovoltaic applications. The current synthetic strategy is rapid and simple, and it can be utilized for commercial application. Solar cells were built using the structure glass/Mo/CZTS/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Ag and were found to exhibit a conversion efficiency of about 2%.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under Grant No. D1439-52-130. The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR for technical and financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 42806, Saudi Arabia

    E. M. Mkawi, Y. Al-Hadeethi & E. Shalaan

  2. Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 42806, Saudi Arabia

    E. M. Mkawi

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    E. Bekyarova

Authors
  1. E. M. Mkawi
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  2. Y. Al-Hadeethi
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  3. E. Shalaan
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Correspondence to E. M. Mkawi.

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Mkawi, E.M., Al-Hadeethi, Y., Shalaan, E. et al. Solution-processed sphere-like Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles for solar cells: effect of oleylamine concentration on properties. Appl. Phys. A 126, 50 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-019-3233-1

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