Gradient bandgaps in sulfide kesterite solar cells enable over 13% certified efficiency

Kang Yin, Jinlin Wang, Licheng Lou, Fanqi Meng, Xiao Xu, Bowen Zhang, Menghan Jiao, Jiangjian Shi (), Dongmei Li, Huijue Wu, Yanhong Luo () and Qingbo Meng ()
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Kang Yin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jinlin Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Licheng Lou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fanqi Meng: Peking University
Xiao Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bowen Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Menghan Jiao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiangjian Shi: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dongmei Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huijue Wu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yanhong Luo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qingbo Meng: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Energy, 2025, vol. 10, issue 2, 205-214

Abstract: Abstract Sulfide kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)—a non-toxic and low-cost photovoltaic material—has always faced severe charge recombination and poor carrier transport, resulting in its cell efficiency record stagnating at around 11% for years. The implementation of gradient bandgaps is a promising approach to relieving these issues, but it has not been effectively realized in kesterite solar cells due to challenges around controlling the elemental distribution. Here, based on Cd-alloyed CZTS, we propose a pre-crystallization strategy to reduce the intense vertical mass transport and Cd rapid diffusion in the film growth process, thereby realizing a Cd-gradient CZTS absorber. This absorber, exhibiting a downward-bent conduction band structure, effectively enhances the bulk carrier transport and additionally improves the interface properties of the CZTS/CdS heterojunction. These benefits significantly enhance the photoelectric conversion performance of the cell and help in achieving a certified total-area cell efficiency of about 13.2% with obviously reduced voltage loss, realizing a substantial step forward for the pure-sulfide kesterite solar cell.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01681-w

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