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

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 Hameiri, John A. Stride, Shiyou Chen, Martin A. Green and Xiaojing Hao ()
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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

Nature Energy, 2018, vol. 3, issue 9, 764-772

Abstract: 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%.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0206-0

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