Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Green and low-cost preparation of CIGSe thin film by a nanocrystals ink based spin-coating method

  • Materials (Organic, Inorganic, Electronic, Thin Films)
  • Published:
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An “ink” solution based process, using spin-coating technique, followed by annealing in selenium environment with different temperature programs was utilized to prepare CIGSe thin films. Herein, the CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2 nanocrystals were synthesized using ethanol — a “green” solvent. Three different solvents: 2-propanol, 2-methoxyethanol, and their 2: 1 mixture (v/v ratio), were investigated as a dispersion medium for the as-synthesized CIGSe nanocrystals to form a stable ink solution. The last one- a mixture of 2-propanol: 2-methoxyethanol=2: 1 (v/v), was found to be the most suitable. Furthermore, the influences of various annealing modes on the CIGSe grain size and density in the resulting film were also studied. The as-prepared CIGSe thin film was around 1 µm thick and possessed a tetragonal structure. A newly developed cheaper and “greener” non-vacuum process was applied successfully from the synthesis of nanocrystals to the formation of ink solution, and produced high quality thin films; this opens a new route to the cost-competitive commercialization of CIGSe thin film solar cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Miller, A. Mackinnon and D. Weaire, Solid State Phys., 36, 119 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. R. Baier, Ph.D. Thesis, Helmholtz-zentrums berlin-berichte (2012).

  3. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/01/21/solar-frontier-hits-new-cis-cell-efficiency-record/.

  4. G. Chen, J. Yang, Y. Chan, L. Yang and W. Huang, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 93, 1351 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. A. Ihlal, K. Bouabid, D. Soubane, M. Nya, O. Ait-Taleb-Ali, Y. Amira, A. Outzourhit and G. Nouet, Thin Solid Films, 515, 5852 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. V. Garg, B. S. Sengar, P. Sharma, A. Kumar, Aaryashree, S. Kumar and S. Mukherjee, Solar Energy, 174, 35 (2018).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. B. Ayachi, T. Aviles, J. Vilcot, C. Sion and P. Miska, Thin Solid Films, 660, 175 (2018).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Z. Yu, C. Yan, Y. Yan, Y. Zhang, T. Huang, W. Huang, S. Li, L. Liu, Y. Zhang and Y. Zhao, Appl. Surf. Sci., 258, 8527 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. M. A. Contreras, K. Ramanathan, J. AbuShama, F. Hasoon, D. L. Young, B. Egaas and R. Noufi, Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 13, 209 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. I. Repins, M. A. Contreras, B. Egaas, C. DeHart, J. Scharf, C. L. Perkins, B. To and R. Noufi, Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 16, 235 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Powalla, P. Jackson, W. Witte, D. Hariskos, S. Paetel, C. Tschamber and W. Wischmann, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells, 119, 51 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Drici, M. Mekhnache, A. Bouraoui, A. Kachouane, J. C. Bernède, A. Amara and M. Guerioune, Mater. Chem. Phys., 110, 76 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Drobiazg, L. Arzel, A. Donmez, P. Zabierowski and N. Barreau, Thin Solid Films, 582, 47 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. R. Caballero, V. Izquierdo-Roca X. Fontane, C. A. Kaufmann, J. Alvarez-Garcia, A. Eicke, L. Calvo-Barrio, A. Perez-Rodriguez, H. W. Schock and J. R. Morante, Acta Mater., 58, 3468 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M. Singh, J. Jiu, T. Sugahara and K. Suganuma, Thin Solid Films, 565, 11 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. J. Lopez-García, H. Xie, V. Izquierdo-Roca, D. Sylla, X. Fontane, M. Blanes-Guardia, F. Ramos, M. Espindola-Rodriguez, S. Lopez-Marino, E. Saucedo and A. Perez-Rodriguez, Mater. Chem. Phys., 160, 237 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. T. Wada, Y. Matsuo, S. Nomura, Y. Nakamura, A. Miyamura, Y. Chiba, A. Yamada and M. Konagai, Phys. Stat. Sol., 203, 2593 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. M. G. Panthani, V. Akhavan, B. Goodfellow, J. P. Schmidtke, L. Dunn, A. Dodabalapur, P. F. Barbara and B. A. Korgel, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 130, 16770 (2008).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Pscherer, M. Gunthner, C. A. Kaufmann, A. Rahm and G. Motz, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells, 132, 296 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. D. Zhao, Q. Tian, Z. Zhou, G. Wang, Y. Meng, D. Kou, W. Zhou, D. Pan and S. Wu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 3, 19263 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. J.-J. Park, J.-G. Lee, D.-Y. Kim, J.-H. Lee, J. H. Yun, J. Gwak, Y.-J. Eo, A. Cho, M. T. Swihart, S. S. Al-Deyab, S. Ahn, D.-H. Kim and S. S. Yoon, Acta Mater., 123, 44 (2017).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. J.-J. Park, J.-G. Lee, S. C. James, S. S. Al-Deyab, S. Ahn and S. S. Yoon, Comput. Mater. Sci., 101, 66 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. H. S. Choi, E. Choi, A. Kim, S. P. Yoon and S. G. Pyo, Phys. Status Solidi A, 211, 1877 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. G. S. Park, S. J. Park, J. S. Jeong, V. B. Chu, Y. J. Hwang and B. K. Min, Thin Solid Films, 621, 70 (2017).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. J. Bi, L. Yao, J. Ao, S. Gao, G. Sun, Q. He, Z. Zhou, Y. Sun and Y. Zhang, J. Power Sources, 326, 211 (2016).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. S. Rampino, M. Bronzoni, L. Colace, P. Frigeri, E. Gombia, C. Maragliano, F. Mezzadri, L. Nasi, L. Seravalli, F. Pattini, G. Trevisi, M. Motapothula, T. Venkatesan and E. Gilioli, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells, 133, 82 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. M. Kaelin, D. Rudmann, F. Kurdesau, H. Zogg, T. Meyer and A. N. Tiwari, Thin Solid Films, 480–481, 486 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. D. Lee, Y. Choi and K. Yong, J. Cryst. Growth, 312, 3665 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. F. Huang, A.-H. Yan, H. Zhao, Z. Li, X.-P. Cai, Y.-H. Wang, Y.-C. Wu, S.-B. Yin and Y.-H. Qiang, Cryst. Res. Technol., 49, 953 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Y.-C. Wang, Y.-T. Yen, C.-H. Liu, C.-H. Chen, W.-C. Kuo, J.-Y. Juang, C.-H. Lai and Y.-L. Chueh, Thin Solid Films, 546, 347 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. M. Latha, R. Aruna Devi and S. Velumani, Opt. Mater., 79, 450 (2018).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. J. H. Cha, S. J. Noh and D. Y. Jung, ChemSusChem., 8, 2407 (2015).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. J. H. Lee, J. Chang, J.-H. Cha, Y. Lee, J. E. Han, D.-Y. Jung, E. C. Choi and B. Hong, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 5, 647 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. I. Repins, M. A. Contreras, B. Egaas, C. DeHart, J. Scharf, C. L. Perkins, B. To and R. Noufi, Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 16, 235 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. P. Jackson, D. Hariskos, E. Lotter, S. Paetel, R. Wuerz, R. Menner, W. Wischmann and M. Powalla, Prog. Photovoltaics, 19, 894 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. I. Repins, M. A. Contreras, B. Egaas, C. DeHart, J. Scharf, C. L. Perkins, B. To and R. Noufi, Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 16, 235 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. T. T. T. Le, T. V. Vu, H. Kim, D.-S. Jeong, B. Pejjai, N. T. N. Truong and C. Park, Mater. Chem. Phys., 207, 522 (2018).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. H. Tanino, H. Deai and H. Nakanishi, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Suppl., 32–33, 436 (1993).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. W. Witte, R. Kniese, A. Eicke and M. Powalla, Proceedings of the fourth IEEE World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-4), Waikoloa, USA, 553 (2006).

  40. M. C. Biesinger, L. W. M. Lau, A. R. Gerson and R. St. C. Smart, Appl. Surf. Sci., 257, 887 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. C. D. Wagner, A. V. Naumkin, A. Kraut-Vass, J. W. Allison, C. J. Powell and J. R. Jr. Rumble, NIST Standard Reference Database 20, Version 3.4 (web version) (http://srdata.nist.gov/xps) (2003).

  42. J. F. Moulder, W. F. Stickle, P. E. Sobol and K. D. Bomben, Handbook of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Perkin-Elmer Corporation, Physical Electronics Division, Eden Prairie, Minn. (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  43. D. Cahen, P. J. Ireland, L. L. Kazmerski and F. A. Thiel, J. Appl. Phys., 57, 4761 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. L. Vegard, Zeitschrift für Physik, 5, 17 (1921).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. A. R. Denton and N. W. Ashcroft, Phys. Rev. A., 43, 3161 (1991).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. D. Abou-Ras, D. Mukherji, G. Kostorz, D. Bremaud, M. Kalin, D. Rudmann, M. Dobeli and A. N. Tiwari, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 865, F8.1.1 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. D. Abou-Ras, G. Kostorz, D. Bremaud, M. Kalin, F. Kurdsau, A. N. Tiwari and M. Dobeli, Thin Solid Films, 480, 433 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. R. Krishnan, E. A. Payzant, R. K. Acnyzki, U. Schoop, J. Britt, R. Noufi and T. J. Anderson, Proceedings of the 35th IEEE PVSC Honolulu, 1006 (2010).

  49. T. Eisenbarth, T. Unold, R. Caballero, C. A. Kaufmann and H.-W. Schock, J. Appl. Phys., 107, 034509 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. T. Wada, N. Koraha, S. Nishiwaki and T. Negami, Thin Solid Films, 387, 118 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. R. Caballero, C. A. Kaufmann, T. Eisenbarth, A. Grimm, I. Lauermann, T. Unold, R. Klenk and H.-W Schock, Appl. Phys. Lett., 96, 092104 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. R. Caballero, M. Nichterwitz, A. Steigert, A. Eicke, I. Lauermann, H. W. Schock and C. A. Kaufmann, Acta Mater., 63, 54 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20173010012980).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Dae-dong, Gyeongsan, 38541, Korea

    Trang Thi Thuy Le, Nam Le, Mohan Reddy Pallavolu, Yoonchang Jeon, Dong-seob Jeong, Babu Pejjai, Vasudeva Reddy Minnam Reddy, Nguyen Tam Nguyen Truong & Chinho Park

Authors
  1. Trang Thi Thuy Le
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nam Le
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohan Reddy Pallavolu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yoonchang Jeon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dong-seob Jeong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Babu Pejjai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Vasudeva Reddy Minnam Reddy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Nguyen Tam Nguyen Truong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Chinho Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chinho Park.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Le, T.T.T., Le, N., Pallavolu, M.R. et al. Green and low-cost preparation of CIGSe thin film by a nanocrystals ink based spin-coating method. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 36, 2110–2117 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-019-0386-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-019-0386-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation