Abstract:
Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), a quaternary compound semiconductor, is an earth abundant and sustainable
semiconductor material that is used as an absorber layer for thin film solar cells. In the present work, CZTS
thin films were deposited onto soda lime glass (SLG) substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using the
stacking sequence CuS / ZnS / SnS at a substrate temperature of 300⁰C. The samples were then sulphurised
at 400⁰C in H2S atmosphere for 60 min. A comparison of as-deposited and sulphurised CZTS thin films are
discussed in this paper. The composition of the CZTS thin film samples were studied using X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of Cu, Zn, Sn, S in 2:1:1:4 ratio respectively. The
presence of O and C was also detected due to atmospheric contamination. It is evident from the atomic %
calculation that the stoichiometry has improved for the sulphurised samples. The formation of
stoichiometric CZTS is an important factor to use it as an absorber layer in a thin film solar cell. Thus, from
the XPS results it is obvious that the sulphurised CZTS thin films can be used as absorber layer in a thin film
solar cell.
