Synthesis and characterization of some nano-selenides and their applications in solar cells.

Abstract Increasing global energy consumption together with environmental concerns has led to much interest in alternative, cleaner sources of energy such as solar photovoltaic. Researchers in the solar cell community have been looking for ways to reduce costs while maintaining or increasing already high efficiencies. A fundamental understanding of the materials under consideration is essential to rapid development of new technologies. The I-III-VI2 thin films offer promising systems for achieving high efficiency solar cells at lower costs. In fact, by tailoring the chemistry of the compounds it is possible to change the bandgap of the material in order to collect sunlight more efficiently. First of all, this thesis focuses on absorber layer material preparation and characterization, especially nanocrystalline thin films and consideration of both structural and electrical characteristics of such main cell absorber layer.The thesis examines how different preparation techniques and material usage could affect the properties of the synthesized thin films (absorber layer). In this study CuInSe2 and CuInS2 thin films were deposited onto ITO glass substrate using the electrodeposition technique in aqueous solution. The electrodeposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). The annealing effects on the electrodeposited precursors were investigated. The chalcopyrite structure of CuInSe2/CuInS2 showed an enhancement of crystallinity after subsequent selenization/sulfurization treatment in Se/S atmosphere, respectively. XRD and SEM studies revealed a dramatic improvement of the crystalline quality of CIS films after annealing treatments. The optical properties of annealed CuInSe2-Se and CuInSe2-S thin films have been studied in order to determine the effect of annealing process in different selenium and sulfur atmosphere. In the second step we modified copper indium CuInxCryGa1-x-ySe2 where x=0.4, y= (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3)superstrate layer by spin coating process. CuInxCryGa1-x-ySe2 where x=0.4, y= (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) nanoparticles have been synthesized firstly using a wet chemical hydrothermal method that is based on a non-vacuum thermal process without any additional selenization process. Introducing different metal sources in an autoclave with ethylenediamine as solvent, CIGS nanoparticles were obtained at different temperatures range 190-230°C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the formation of a tetragonal CuInxCryGa1-x-ySe2 chalcopyrite structure. Finally, we turned again to the study of the annealing temperature effect onKesterite materials but this time in those of very low-cost materials and environmentally friendly Cu2ZnSnS4. We studied the growth of quaternary Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) kesterite thin films by a single step electrochemical deposition followed by annealing at low temperature. The influence of different annealing atmospheres at constant annealing times (t = 45 min) and fixed preparation controlling parameters; i.e., starting materials (precursor metal salts) solution concentration, time of deposition and electrodeposition potential. Structural, compositional, morphological, and optical properties, as well as photoelectrochemical properties were studied.