Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial
Metal chalcogenides such as copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) have been intensively studied as potential photovoltaic cell materials, but their viability have been marred by crystal defects and low open circuit potential (<i>V</i><sub>oc</sub>) deficit, which affected their ener...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/3/794 |
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| author | Kelechi C. Nwambaekwe Milua Masikini Penny Mathumba Morongwa E. Ramoroka Samantha Duoman Vivian Suru John-Denk Emmanuel I. Iwuoha |
| author_facet | Kelechi C. Nwambaekwe Milua Masikini Penny Mathumba Morongwa E. Ramoroka Samantha Duoman Vivian Suru John-Denk Emmanuel I. Iwuoha |
| author_sort | Kelechi C. Nwambaekwe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Metal chalcogenides such as copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) have been intensively studied as potential photovoltaic cell materials, but their viability have been marred by crystal defects and low open circuit potential (<i>V</i><sub>oc</sub>) deficit, which affected their energy conversion efficiency. Strategies to improve on the properties of this material such as alloying with other elements have been explored and have yielded promising results. Here, we report the synthesis of CZTS and the partial substitution of S with Te via anion hot injection synthesis method to form a solid solution of a novel kesterite nanomaterial, namely, copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe). Particle-size analyzed via small angle X-ray scattering spectroscopy (SAXS) confirmed that CZTS and CZTSTe materials are nanostructured. Crystal planes values of 112, 200, 220 and 312 corresponding to the kesterite phase with tetragonal modification were revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic analysis of CZTS and CZTSTe. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the shifts at 281 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 347 cm<sup>−1</sup> for CZTS, and 124 cm<sup>−1</sup>, 149 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 318 cm<sup>−1</sup> for CZTSTe. High degradation rate and the production of hot electrons are very detrimental to the lifespan of photovoltaic cell (PVC) devices, and thus it is important to have PVC absorber layer materials that are thermally stable. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis indicated a 10% improvement in the thermal stability of CZTSTe compared to CZTS at 650 °C. With improved electrical conductivity, low charge transfer resistance (<i>R</i><sub>ct</sub>) and absorption in the visible region with a low bandgap energy (<i>E</i><sub>g</sub>) of 1.54 eV, the novel CZTSTe nanomaterials displayed favorable properties for photovoltaics application. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:04:07Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:04:07Z |
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| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-b26c0d2ab94b4b76af30ae6418b8fd5b2023-11-21T11:15:16ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-03-0111379410.3390/nano11030794Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite NanomaterialKelechi C. Nwambaekwe0Milua Masikini1Penny Mathumba2Morongwa E. Ramoroka3Samantha Duoman4Vivian Suru John-Denk5Emmanuel I. Iwuoha6SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaSensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South AfricaMetal chalcogenides such as copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) have been intensively studied as potential photovoltaic cell materials, but their viability have been marred by crystal defects and low open circuit potential (<i>V</i><sub>oc</sub>) deficit, which affected their energy conversion efficiency. Strategies to improve on the properties of this material such as alloying with other elements have been explored and have yielded promising results. Here, we report the synthesis of CZTS and the partial substitution of S with Te via anion hot injection synthesis method to form a solid solution of a novel kesterite nanomaterial, namely, copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe). Particle-size analyzed via small angle X-ray scattering spectroscopy (SAXS) confirmed that CZTS and CZTSTe materials are nanostructured. Crystal planes values of 112, 200, 220 and 312 corresponding to the kesterite phase with tetragonal modification were revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic analysis of CZTS and CZTSTe. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the shifts at 281 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 347 cm<sup>−1</sup> for CZTS, and 124 cm<sup>−1</sup>, 149 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 318 cm<sup>−1</sup> for CZTSTe. High degradation rate and the production of hot electrons are very detrimental to the lifespan of photovoltaic cell (PVC) devices, and thus it is important to have PVC absorber layer materials that are thermally stable. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis indicated a 10% improvement in the thermal stability of CZTSTe compared to CZTS at 650 °C. With improved electrical conductivity, low charge transfer resistance (<i>R</i><sub>ct</sub>) and absorption in the visible region with a low bandgap energy (<i>E</i><sub>g</sub>) of 1.54 eV, the novel CZTSTe nanomaterials displayed favorable properties for photovoltaics application.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/3/794band gapchalcogenidescopper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS)copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe)kesteritesmall angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) |
| spellingShingle | Kelechi C. Nwambaekwe Milua Masikini Penny Mathumba Morongwa E. Ramoroka Samantha Duoman Vivian Suru John-Denk Emmanuel I. Iwuoha Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial Nanomaterials band gap chalcogenides copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe) kesterite small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) |
| title | Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial |
| title_full | Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial |
| title_fullStr | Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial |
| title_short | Electronics of Anion Hot Injection-Synthesized Te-Functionalized Kesterite Nanomaterial |
| title_sort | electronics of anion hot injection synthesized te functionalized kesterite nanomaterial |
| topic | band gap chalcogenides copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe) kesterite small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/3/794 |
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