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CuInGaSe2 crystals synthesis by selenization of Cu–In–Ga alloy in H2Se atmosphere for solar cell applications

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Abstract

Copper indium gallium diselenide (CuInGaSe2) crystals were synthesized using two step growth strategy. A facile solution route was employed as a primary step to synthesize Cu–In–Ga (CIG) metallic precursor using ethylenediamine as a solvent. Thin films of CIG metallic precursor have been deposited using spray deposition technique on to molybdenum coated soda lime glass substrate under inert atmosphere. The subsequent step involved the selenization of metallic precursor thin films in H2Se atmosphere at 450 °C for 90 min followed by annealing in Ar thus yielding solar cell applicable dense CuInGaSe2 crystals. The surface morphology, phase structure and composition of the deposited films were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electrical resistivity measurement respectively. The results revealed that annealed films were crystalline in nature exhibiting homogeneous single chalcopyrite phase.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the selenization and characterization facilities availed at Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC), University of Delaware, USA. Muhammad Ilyas Sarwar is indebted to “Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program” to pursue research work at University of Delaware, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    Sonia Zulfiqar

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Emre Yassitepe & S. Ismat Shah

  3. Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ilyas Sarwar

  4. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    S. Ismat Shah

Authors
  1. Sonia Zulfiqar
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  2. Emre Yassitepe
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  3. Muhammad Ilyas Sarwar
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  4. S. Ismat Shah
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Correspondence to Sonia Zulfiqar or S. Ismat Shah.

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Zulfiqar, S., Yassitepe, E., Sarwar, M.I. et al. CuInGaSe2 crystals synthesis by selenization of Cu–In–Ga alloy in H2Se atmosphere for solar cell applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 24, 3226–3230 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-013-1232-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-013-1232-0

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