Solution-processed Cu2XSnS4 (X = Fe, Co, Ni) photo-electrochemical and thin film solar cells on vertically grown ZnO nanorod arrays

This article presents the photo-electrochemical and photovoltaic performances of solution processed Cu2XSnS4 (X = Fe, Co, Ni) thin films on ZnS coated vertically aligned ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays for the first time. The optical, structural and electrical properties of all the synthesized structures were investigated using various characterization techniques. The electrocatalytic activities of the superstrate structures were characterized by taking cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements and performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. Furthermore, the photovoltaic performances of the devices with architecture ITO/ZnO-NR's/ZnS/Cu2XSnS4/Au were investigated under AM 1.5 illumination condition. The thin film solar cells with Cu2FeSnS4 (CFTS), Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) and Cu2NiSnS4 (CNTS) photoactive layers exhibited power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of 2.73%, 3.23% and 2.71% respectively. All the devices exhibit good electrochemical as well as photovoltaic performance under illuminations and have shown potential to fabricate nontoxic solution processed high efficient devices.