DataVXACS Applied Energy MaterialsPaper
journal article·2020-01-27Open access

On the Germanium Incorporation in Cu2ZnSnSe4 Kesterite Solar Cells Boosting Their Efficiency

Maurizio Ritzer, Sven Schönherr, Philipp Schöppe, Wolfgang Wisniewski, Sergio Giraldo, Galina Gurieva, Andreas Johannes, Christian T. Plass, Konrad Ritter, Gema Martínez-Criado, Susan Schorr, Edgardo Saucedo, Carsten Ronning, Claudia S. Schnohr

ACS Applied Energy Materials· Volume 3· Issue 1
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Source abstract

Abstract

The presence of Ge during the synthesis of thin film kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) solar cell absorbers boosts their power conversion efficiency, especially due to an improved open circuit voltage. The mechanism underlying this beneficial effect of Ge is still under debate. We gained deep insights into the role of Ge by applying advanced synchrotron nanoprobe-based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy to cross-sectional lamellas taken from high efficiency devices. We observe that Ge remains in the CZTSe absorber layer after the synthesis process with a specific heterogeneous distribution. Different grains contain different Ge concentrations. Moreover, Ge depletion exists at random grain boundaries but not at symmetric Σ3-boundaries, leading to different band alignments. The incorporated Ge occupies Sn lattice sites in the CZTSe crystal structure; however, the concentration is only 0.1 to 0.5 at %. Also Ge aggregates in nanoscale inclusions, which we could identify to be GeO2 that likely lessen the beneficial effect of Ge on the photovoltaic performance.
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Research context

NanomaterialsElectronic materials

OpenAlex topics: Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties · Copper-based nanomaterials and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Institut für Festkörperphysik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany

Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, 911 50 Trenčín, Slovakia

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona, Spain

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, France

Felix-Bloch-Institut für Festkörperphysik, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstrasse 74-100, 12249 Berlin, Germany

Funding

Bundesministerium f?r Bildung und Forschung · Ministerio de Econom?a y Competitividad · Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft · Ag?ncia de Gesti? d?Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca · Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

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