Photoelectric properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films deposited by thermal evaporation

Sn/Cu/ZnS precursor were deposited by evaporation on soda lime glass at room temperature, and then polycrystalline thin films of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) were produced by sulfurizing the precursors in a sulfur atmosphere at a temperature of 550 degrees C for 3 h. Fabricated CZTS thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectrophotometry, the Hall effect system, and 3D optical microscopy. The experimental results show that, when the ratios of [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) and [Zn]/[Sn] in the CZTS are 0.83 and 1.15, the CZTS thin films possess an absorption coefficient of larger than 4.0 x 10(4) cm(-1) in the energy range 1.5-3.5 eV, and a direct band gap of about 1.47 eV. The carrier concentration, resistivity and mobility of the CZTS film are 6.98 x 10(16) cm 3, 6.96 Omega.cm, and 12.9 cm(2)/(V.s), respectively and the conduction type is p-type. Therefore, the CZTS thin films are suitable for absorption layers of solar cells.