Nanostructuring for enhanced absorption and carrier collection in CZTS-based solar cells: Coupled optical and electrical modeling

Earth-abundant Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is being considered as a potential photon-absorbing layer for low cost thin film solar cells. Nanostructured light trapping is recently investigated as a technique for enhancing the efficiency of CZTS solar cells. Herein, we used coupled electrical and optical modeling for different combinations of nanostructured CZTS solar cells to guide optimization of such nanostructures. The model is validated by a comparison of simulated I-V curves with previously reported experimental data. A very good agreement is achieved. Simulations are used to demonstrate that nanostructures can be tailored to maximize the absorption, carrier generation, carrier collection, and efficiency in CZTS solar cells. All proposed nanostructured solar cells showed enhancement in the overall conversion efficiency. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.