Effects of ZnO-nanostructure antireflection coatings on sulfurization-free Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber deposited by single-step co-sputtering process

ZnO nanostructures as anti-reflective coatings were synthesized by using hydrothermal technique for a sulfurization-free Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber prepared by co-sputtering deposition. By controlling the morphology of solution-grown ZnO nanostructures, the average reflectance of the Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell with branched ZnO nanorods decreased from 7.6% to 1.12%, and the energy conversion efficiency promoted by 10.4% from the initial value of 4.8% to 5.3%. The efficiency improvement was well studied with the effects of the gradually increased refractive index between the air and the top electrode of Cu2ZnSnS4 solar device, due to the presence of the ZnO nanostructure.