Skip to main content
Log in

Modification in cell structure for better performance of spray pyrolysed CuInS2/In2S3 thin film solar cell

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report a new structure for CuInS2/In2S3 solar cell, in which both absorber and buffer layers were deposited using chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. The usual superstrate structure, having buffer layer just above ITO, was not functioning mainly due to diffusion of Cu into In2S3 layer as seen from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results. However, when the configuration of the cell was ITO/CuInS2/In2S3/Ag, cell parameters obtained were Voc=0.45 V, Jsc=44.03 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) = 29.5% and η=5.87%. Good results could be obtained by using indium sulfide thin films having maximum photosensitivity. The cell was characterized using X-ray diffraction, optical absorption, current–voltage and spectral response measurements.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abushama JAM, Johnston S, Moriarty T, Teeter G, Ramanathan K, Noufi R (2004) Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl. 12:39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Powalla M, Dimmler B (2000) Thin Solid Films 361–362:540

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Watanabe T, Matsui M (1999) Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 38:L1379

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ramanathan K, Contreras MA, Perkins CL, Asher S, Hasoon FS, Keane J, Young D, Romero M, Metzger W, Noufi R, Ward J, Duda A (2003) Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl. 11:225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Nakada T, Mizutani M, Hagiwara Y, Kunioka A (2001) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 67:255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ohtake Y, Kushiyal K, Ichikawa M, Yamada A, Konagai M (1998) Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 37:3220

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gordillo G, Calderón C (2003) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 77:163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Hariskos D, Ruckh M, Rühle U, Walter T, Schock HW, Hedström J, Stolt L (1996) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 41/42:345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Spiering S, Hariskos D, Powalla M, Naghavi N, Loncot D (2003) Thin Solid Films 431–432:359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Engelhardt F, Bornemann L, Köntges M, Meyer T, Parisi J, Pschorr-Schoberer E, Hahn B, Gebhardt W, Riedl W, Rau U (1999) Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl. 7:423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Herrero J, Ortega G (1990) Sol. Energ. Mat. 20:53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Gindle SP, Smith CW, Mittlem SD (1979) Appl. Phys. Lett. 35:24

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bihri H, Abd-Lefdil M (1999) Thin Solid Films 354:5

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Krunks M, Kijatkina O, Rebane H, Oja I, Mikli V, Mere A (2002) Thin Solid Films 404:71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ortega-López M, Morales-Acevedo A (1998) Thin Solid Films 330:96

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kazmerski LL, Sanborn GA (1977) J. Appl. Phys. 48:3178

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Klaer J, Bruns J, Henninger R, Siemer K, Klenk R, Ellmer K, Bräunig D (1998) Semicond. Sci. Technol. 13:1456

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Siemer K, Klaer J, Luck I, Bruns J, Klenk R, Bräunig D (2001) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 67:159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Scheer R, Walter T, Schock HW, Fearheiley ML, Lewerenz HJ (1993) Appl. Phys. Lett. 63:3294

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ogawa Y, Jäger-Waldau A, Hashimoto Y, Ito K (1994) Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 33:L1775

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. Braunger D, Hariskos D, Walter T, Schock HW (1996) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 40:97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mere A, Kijatkina O, Rebane H, Krustok J, Krunks M (2003) J. Phys. Chem. Solids 64:2025

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. John TT, Bini S, Kashiwaba Y, Abe T, Yasuhiro Y, Kartha CS, Vijayakumar KP (2003) Semicond. Sci. Technol. 18:491

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. Djessas K, Abatchou A, Massé G (2000) J. Appl. Phys. 88:5710

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Pai RR, John TT, Kashiwaba Y, Abe T, Vijayakumar KP, Kartha CS (2004) J. Mater. Sci., DOI: KL1956-08/10437-03

  26. John TT, Vijayakumar KP, Kartha CS, Kashiwaba Y, Abe T (2003) Proc. World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-3), Osaka, Japan 1P-C3-24

  27. John TT, Kartha CS, Vijayakumar KP, Abe T, Kashiwaba Y (2004) Proc. 12th International Conference on Solid Films and Surfaces (ICSFS-12) Hamamatsu, Japan 101

  28. John TT, Wilson KC, Ratheesh Kumar PM, Kartha CS, Vijayakumar KP, Kashiwaba Y, Abe T, Yasuhiro Y (2004) Phys. Stat. Solidi A, DOI: 10.1002/pssa.200406875

  29. El-Adawi MK, Al-Nuaim IA (2001) Vacuum 64:33

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Igalson M, Platzer-Björkman C (2004) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 84:93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Gloeckler M, Jenkins CR, Sites JR (2003) Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 763:B5.20.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Eisgruber IL, Granata JE, Sites JR, Hou J, Kessler J (1998) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 53:367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Potlog T, Ghimpu L, Gashin P, Pudov A, Nagle T, Sites J (2003) Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C. 80:327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Naghavi N, Spiering S, Powalla M, Canava B, Lincot D (2003) Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl. 11:437

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K.P. Vijayakumar.

Additional information

PACS

81.15.Rs; 82.45.Mp; 84.60.Jt

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

John, T., Kartha, C., Vijayakumar, K. et al. Modification in cell structure for better performance of spray pyrolysed CuInS2/In2S3 thin film solar cell. Appl. Phys. A 82, 703–707 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-005-3385-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-005-3385-z

Keywords

Navigation