Elemental de-mixing-induced epitaxial kesterite/CdS interface enabling 13%-efficiency kesterite solar cells

Yuancai Gong, Qiang Zhu, Bingyan Li, Shanshan Wang, Biwen Duan, Licheng Lou, Chunxu Xiang, Erin Jedlicka, Rajiv Giridharagopal, Yage Zhou, Qi Dai, Weibo Yan, Shiyou Chen (), Qingbo Meng () and Hao Xin ()
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Yuancai Gong: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Qiang Zhu: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Bingyan Li: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Shanshan Wang: Fudan University
Biwen Duan: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Licheng Lou: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Chunxu Xiang: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Erin Jedlicka: University of Washington
Rajiv Giridharagopal: University of Washington
Yage Zhou: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Qi Dai: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Weibo Yan: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications
Shiyou Chen: Fudan University
Qingbo Meng: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Hao Xin: Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications

Nature Energy, 2022, vol. 7, issue 10, 966-977

Abstract: Abstract The conversion efficiency of kesterite solar cells has been stagnated at 12.6% since 2013. In contrast to chalcopyrite solar cells, the performance of kesterite solar cells is seriously limited by heterojunction interface recombination. Here we demonstrate kesterite/CdS heterojunction is constructed on a Zn-poor surface due to the dissolution of Zn2+ during chemical bath deposition. The occupation of Cd2+ on the Zn site and re-deposition of Zn2+ into CdS creates a defective and lattice-mismatched interface. Low-temperature annealing of the kesterite/CdS junction drives migration of Cd2+ from absorber back to CdS and Zn2+ from absorber bulk to surface, achieving a gradient composition and reconstructing an epitaxial interface. This greatly reduces interface recombination and improves device open-circuit voltage and fill factor. We achieve certified 12.96% efficiency small-area (0.11 cm2) and certified 11.7% efficiency large-area (1.1 cm2) kesterite devices. The findings are expected to advance the development of kesterite solar cells.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01132-4

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