Growth and characterization of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4 alloys grown by the melting method

I-2-R-IV-VI4 quaternary Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) (CZTSSe) alloys were successfully grown by the melting growth method. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the CZTSSe alloys showed preferred orientations of (112), (220) and (312) planes, confirming the Kesterite structure. In Raman spectra, the A1 mode peaks expected for CZTS and CZTSe were observed in all samples, and no secondary phases were observed. The CZTSSe alloys in this study were slightly Cu-poor, Zn-rich and VI-rich, similar to compositions of polycrystalline thin-film materials that have achieved high photovoltaic conversion efficiencies. Single phase and homogeneous CZTSSe alloys were obtained. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.