Effect of copper concentration on CTS thin films for solar cell absorber layer and photocatalysis applications

Rahaman, S and Singha, MK and Sunil, MA and Ghosh, K (2020) Effect of copper concentration on CTS thin films for solar cell absorber layer and photocatalysis applications. In: Superlattices and Microstructures, 145 .

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Abstract

Earth abundant, nontoxic Cu2SnS3 (CTS) thin films are prepared using low-cost ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) technique by varying different copper (Cu) precursor (copper chloride) concentration. Influence of Cu concentration on the electrical, optical and structural properties of CTS thin films are studied. XRD, TEM results confirm the formation of tetragonal structure of CTS films with orientation along (112) plane. Raman analysis reconfirms the tetragonal structure of CTS thin film and Cu2S secondary phase in films with higher Cu concentration samples. Stoichiometric film is found for 0.025M Cu concentration. XPS and PL studies are also performed. The absorption coefficient of CTS films is found to be ~105 cm�1 and optical bandgap is varying from 1.32 eV to 1.49 eV. P-type semiconductor nature of the film is found from electrical characteristics with carrier concentration of ~1021/cm3. The resistivity of the film decreases from 4.6 � 10�1 to 9.5 � 10�4 Ω-cm as Cu concentration increases. These properties are suitable for solar cell absorber layer. The optimized CTS thin film is used as a photocatalyst and photocatalysis activity of methylene blue (MB) dye is examined under visible light irradiation. A significant photodegradation (~90) of MB achieved under 3 h visible light irradiation. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Superlattices and Microstructures
Publisher:	Academic Press
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to Academic Press
Keywords:	Aromatic compounds; Carrier concentration; Chlorine compounds; Copper compounds; Irradiation; Light; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Solar absorbers; Spray pyrolysis; Thin film solar cells; Tin compounds; Ultrasonic applications, Absorption co-efficient; Electrical , optical and structural properties; Electrical characteristic; P type semiconductor; Solar cell absorbers; Stoichiometric films; Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis; Visible-light irradiation, Thin films
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Instrumentation Appiled Physics
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2020 06:03
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2020 06:03
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/65798

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