Solution Synthesis and Deposition of Kesterite Copper Zinc Tin Chalcogenide Films
UCLA researchers in the Department of Material Science and Engineering have developed a solution based method for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) precursor synthesis that uses earth abundant and environmental friendly materials as a viable alternative to Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) for use in solar cells. Developing a feasible method for renewable energy generation has become a focus due to concerns over global warming and increased demand for energy. Among renewable energy sources, solar energy has attracted the most attention but production scaling and rising costs are hurdles for photovoltaic technologies to compete with traditionally generated power.
In so called "second generation" solar cells, CIGS and its related materials are utilized for the fabrication of low-cost and high-efficiency solar cells. However, the continued supply of the rare metal indium in the mass production stage has created major concerns.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a solution based method for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) precursor synthesis. This method provides a powerful tool for depositing uniform films in chemical compositions for large scale device fabrication.
Applications
Production of all second generation and future solar cells
Advantages
Readily achievable uniform chemical composition distribution (active layer)
Precise control of both structural and electrical properties of the solar cell active layer
Reduced costs
Environmental friendly
Inventors
Yang, Yang
