Kesterite-based next generation high performance thin film solar cell: current progress and future prospects

Kesterites, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)(4) (CZTSSe) and Cu-2 ZnSnS4 (CZTS), have been considered as highly prospective candidates for solar cell applications. The non-toxic and earth-abundant elements along with tunable bandgap of CZTSSe indicate a high potential to replace the reported high efficient Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) and CIGS/CIGSSe devices in order to meet the increasing demand of solar cell market. In this review, the structural, optical and electrical properties of CZTS/CZTSSe were analyzed based on recent research in this field. Various vacuum/non-vacuum CZTS/CZTSSe synthesis and fabrication routines were also analyzed. The vacuum based deposition methods have yielded an efficiency of 11.6 % solar cells, while the non-vacuum paths, especially the ink-based approach offered a more convenient synthesis and fabrication choice with an advanced efficiency of 12.6 %. Analysis indicated that the barriers to application of this material system is still remained in both material synthesis and device fabrication. Further elucidation on possible mechanism of solution-based synthesis and some of the key barriers of improving the device efficiency are required to being pushed forward.