Investigation of the growth process and properties of CuIn5S8 and AgIn5S8 spinel thin films

Abstract We investigated the preparation of CuIn5S8 and AgIn5S8 spinel thin films by sulphurization of Cu–In and Ag–In alloy films in sulphur vapour. We found that a good adhesion to the substrate (Mo-coated glass) could be achieved by the introduction of a Ti layer between the substrate and the spinel layer. A layer of a titanium sulphide was formed at the interface between Ti and the spinel layer. CuIn2 and AgIn2 phases in the Cu–In and Ag–In precursor alloy films and phases of cubic CuIn5S8 and AgIn5S8 spinels have been detected by X-ray diffraction. Most of the films show n-type conductivity. The electron concentration varies from the intrinsic to 1018 cm−3.