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Experimental and theoretical studies of CuInS2 thin films for photovoltaic applications

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Abstract

CuInS2 thin films were synthesized by spray pyrolysis. The films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and spectrophotometer (UV–Vis). The structural studies reveal that CuInS2 thin films are of chalcopyrite phase. The complex dielectric constants (εr and εi), the refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), absorption coefficient (α), gap energy (Eg), and the optical conductivity (σ) were calculated. The obtained results are suitable for photovoltaic applications. To confirm our experimental results, a series of Ab initio calculations was performed. The generalized gradient approximation and the mBJ potential for the exchange–correlation potential have been used to calculate the band structure, density of states, charge density, and optical properties of CuInS2.

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Acknowledgements

Prof. Bouchaib HARTITI, Senior Associate at ICTP (The Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics), is very grateful to ICTP for financial support. We thank P. Blaha and K. Schwarz for the Wien2k code.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ERDyS Laboratory, GMEEMDD Group, FSTM, Hassan II Casablanca University, B.P 146, Mohammedia, Morocco

    Ahmed Kotbi, Bouchaib Hartiti & Salah Fadili

  2. LIMAT Laboratory, Department of Physics, FSB, Hassan II Casablanca University, B.P 7955, Casablanca, Morocco

    Ahmed Kotbi & Abderraouf Ridah

  3. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), 11, 34151, Trieste, Strada Costiera, Italy

    Bouchaib Hartiti

  4. LMOPS Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Lorraine, B.P. 57000, Metz, France

    Philippe Thevenin

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Kotbi, A., Hartiti, B., Fadili, S. et al. Experimental and theoretical studies of CuInS2 thin films for photovoltaic applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 30, 21096–21105 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-02479-3

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