Toward a high Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell efficiency processed by spray pyrolysis method

In this work, a review about the influence of the growth parameters on the chemical and physical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) deposited by pneumatic spray pyrolysis technique and its impact on the thin film solar cells is presented and analyzed in order to identify the major drawbacks of this technique and the possibility to improve the device efficiency. Our best solar cell using sprayed CZTS shows an open-circuit voltage of 361 mV, a short-circuit current density of 7.5 mA/cm(2), a fill factor of 0.37, and an efficiency of 1% under irradiation of AM 1.5 and 100 mW/cm(2). Some of the key mechanisms related to the properties of sprayed CZTS layers, as well as those concerning the solar cells mechanisms that limit the cell performance, are also analyzed. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.