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Synthesis and characterization of Vanadium (V)-doped CZTS thin films by chemical spray pyrolysis method for solar cell applications

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Abstract

The Vanadium(V+5)-doped Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) thin films were synthesized by chemical spray pyrolysis technique. Structural properties were studied by X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Raman Spectrometer. Morphological and elemental compositions were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Optical properties were determined by UV–VIS–NIR Spectrophotometer. The Electrical studies were carried out by Van der Pauw Ecopia HMS-3000 Hall Measurement System. The XRD patterns confirm the single-phase CZTS kesterite structure. The crystallite sizes were found to be decreasing with increasing the doping percentage. The Raman spectra further confirm the prominent kesterite structure of CZTS without any secondary phases. The SEM images exhibit non-uniform coral-shaped grain growth. The UV–VIS–NIR spectra show high absorption in the visible region and the band gaps were found to be increasing from 1.76 to 1.85 eV with increasing the doping percentage. The Hall measurements show high acceptor-type defects and high hole mobility for the V-doped CZTS. The pure and Vanadium-doped CZTS exhibit p-type conductivity, suitable for absorber layer of thin-film solar cells. The sample with high hole mobility and less absorption can be used as Hole Transport Layer (HTL) in Perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Department of Physics, Swami Anandatheertha Campus, Kannur University for Raman analysis, Department of Physics, Nirmalagiri College for XRD analysis, STIC CUSAT for SEM-EDX and UV–VIS–NIR analysis, Department of Physics CUSAT for Thickness measurements and C-MET Thrissur for Hall measurements.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Payyannur College, Affliated to Kannur University, Payyannur, Kerala, 670327, India

    C. T. Illiyas & K. C. Preetha

  2. Sree Narayana College, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695145, India

    K. C. Preetha

Authors
  1. C. T. Illiyas
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Materials preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by CTI. The first draft of the manuscript was written by CTI and KCP. All authors commented on previous version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to K. C. Preetha.

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Illiyas, C.T., Preetha, K.C. Synthesis and characterization of Vanadium (V)-doped CZTS thin films by chemical spray pyrolysis method for solar cell applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 34, 1380 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10804-0

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