Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber layers deposited by spray pyrolysis for advanced photovoltaic technology

In this work, pneumatic spray pyrolysis was used to deposit Cu2ZnSnS4 kesterite thin film layers onto soda lime glass substrates/Mo coated substrates (substrate configuration). Furthermore, pneumatic spray pyrolysis was also tested as a potential way to grow kesterite thin film layers on ZnO nanorod arrays on SnO2:F coated glass substrates (superstrate cell configuration). In this case semi-transparent samples were obtained. A summary of the process parameters optimization to effectively coat the ZnO nanostructures is presented. In both solar cell configurations, absorbers were selenized at 400–500 °C and compared. For the substrate configuration, we present a device with a power conversion efficiency of 1.86%, Voc = 292 mV, Jsc = 16.2 mA/cm2 and FF = 39.6%. (a) Cross-sectional SEM image of ZnO nanorods covered by Cu2ZnSn(S1–xSex)4 in a superstrate configuration, (b) layout of the conceptual idea.