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Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells with over 10% power conversion efficiency enabled by heterojunction heat treatment

Author

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  • Chang Yan

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Jialiang Huang

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Kaiwen Sun

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Steve Johnston

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Yuanfang Zhang

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Heng Sun

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Aobo Pu

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Mingrui He

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Fangyang Liu

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Katja Eder

    (Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney)

  • Limei Yang

    (Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney)

  • Julie M. Cairney

    (Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney)

  • N. J. Ekins-Daukes

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Ziv Hameiri

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • John A. Stride

    (School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales)

  • Shiyou Chen

    (School of Information Science and Technology, East China Normal University)

  • Martin A. Green

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

  • Xiaojing Hao

    (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales)

Abstract

Sulfide kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 provides an attractive low-cost, environmentally benign and stable photovoltaic material, yet the record power conversion efficiency for such solar cells has been stagnant at around 9% for years. Severe non-radiative recombination within the heterojunction region is a major cause limiting voltage output and overall performance. Here we report a certified 11% efficiency Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell with a high 730 mV open-circuit voltage using heat treatment to reduce heterojunction recombination. This heat treatment facilitates elemental inter-diffusion, directly inducing Cd atoms to occupy Zn or Cu lattice sites, and promotes Na accumulation accompanied by local Cu deficiency within the heterojunction region. Consequently, new phases are formed near the hetero-interface and more favourable conduction band alignment is obtained, contributing to reduced non-radiative recombination. Using this approach, we also demonstrate a certified centimetre-scale (1.11 cm2) 10% efficiency Cu2ZnSnS4 photovoltaic device; the first kesterite cell (including selenium-containing) of standard centimetre-size to exceed 10%.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang Yan & Jialiang Huang & Kaiwen Sun & Steve Johnston & Yuanfang Zhang & Heng Sun & Aobo Pu & Mingrui He & Fangyang Liu & Katja Eder & Limei Yang & Julie M. Cairney & N. J. Ekins-Daukes & Ziv Hamei, 2018. "Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells with over 10% power conversion efficiency enabled by heterojunction heat treatment," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 764-772, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:3:y:2018:i:9:d:10.1038_s41560-018-0206-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0206-0
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Carla Gobbo & Valerio Di Palma & Vanira Trifiletti & Claudia Malerba & Matteo Valentini & Ilaria Matacena & Santolo Daliento & Simona Binetti & Maurizio Acciarri & Giorgio Tseberlidis, 2023. "Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Francisca Werlinger & Camilo Segura & Javier Martínez & Igor Osorio-Roman & Danilo Jara & Seog Joon Yoon & Andrés Fabián Gualdrón-Reyes, 2023. "Current Progress of Efficient Active Layers for Organic, Chalcogenide and Perovskite-Based Solar Cells: A Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-35, August.
    3. Mohamed Yassine Zaki & Alin Velea, 2024. "Recent Progress and Challenges in Controlling Secondary Phases in Kesterite CZT(S/Se) Thin Films: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-29, March.
    4. Chee, A. Kuan-Way, 2023. "On current technology for light absorber materials used in highly efficient industrial solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Zhou, Yuekuan, 2022. "Transition towards carbon-neutral districts based on storage techniques and spatiotemporal energy sharing with electrification and hydrogenation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. Jinlin Wang & Jiangjian Shi & Kang Yin & Fanqi Meng & Shanshan Wang & Licheng Lou & Jiazheng Zhou & Xiao Xu & Huijue Wu & Yanhong Luo & Dongmei Li & Shiyou Chen & Qingbo Meng, 2024. "Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle to suppress vacancy defects at grain boundaries for efficient kesterite solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Liang Wu & Qian Wang & Tao-Tao Zhuang & Guo-Zhen Zhang & Yi Li & Hui-Hui Li & Feng-Jia Fan & Shu-Hong Yu, 2022. "A library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals enables efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    8. Hongzheng Dong & Xiangyu Pan & Yuancai Gong & Mengfan Xue & Pin Wang & SocMan Ho-Kimura & Yingfang Yao & Hao Xin & Wenjun Luo & Zhigang Zou, 2023. "Potential window alignment regulating ion transfer in faradaic junctions for efficient photoelectrocatalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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