Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (6): 1330-1346.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201603073

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advances in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Thin Film Solar Cells

Xue ZHANG1,Yang HAN1,Shuang-Zhi CHAI1,Nan-Tao HU1,Zhi YANG1,*(),Hui-Juan GENG2,*(),Hao WEI1,*()   

  1. 1 School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
    2 College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Anyang 455000, Henan Province, P. R. China
  • Received:2016-01-18 Published:2016-06-03
  • Contact: Zhi YANG,Hui-Juan GENG,Hao WEI E-mail:zhiyang@sjtu.edu.cn;ghjhou@126.com;haowei@sjtu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(61376003)

Abstract:

CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) light absorber materials have dominated the research field of compound semiconductor solar cells. Despite the high power conversion efficiencies and technological advances of CdTe and CIGS photovoltaic technologies, certain issues, like rare earth constituent elements or toxic elements, limit their future upscaled applications. In recent years, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells have become research hotspots, drawing increased interest. With earth-abundant and environmentallybenign constituent elements, CZTSSe light absorber materials are widely regarded as the next-generation photovoltaic technology that can replace CdTe and CIGS as a promising candidate for terawatt-level power output. In this review, the synthesis, structure, and properties of CZTSSe materials will be discussed. This review will primarily demonstrate the developments and recent advances of different fabrication techniques and deposition methods, such as vacuum-based and solution-based deposition methods, covering their advantages and disadvantages. Recent developments in CZTSSe fabrication methods and CZTSSe nanocrystal preparation approaches will also be reviewed. Finally, some limitations on CZTSSe photovoltaic technology will be analyzed, and directions for improvement will be suggested, helping scientists to make future developments in this field.

Key words: Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4, Thin film, Solar cell, Preparation method, Research progress