Crystalline behaviour of SnS layers produced by sulfurization of Sn films using H2S

Tin sulfide (SnS) is receiving increasing interest for its potential application as an absorber layer in thin film solar cells. In this work, a novel method for the formation of SnS layers on soda-lime glass substrates was investigated. The layers were formed by first sputtering tin onto glass followed by annealing in a 5% H2S and Ar gas environment over the temperature range of 300-450°C for 2 hours. The structural properties of the layers synthesized, including the crystal structure, phases present, crystallite size, strain and dislocation density are reported.