Preparation of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Thin Films by Hydrothermal Method

Abstract

In this paper, Earth-abundant Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin films were successfully prepared onto FTO glasses by hydrothermal method and annealed at 550 °C under Ar+S atmosphere. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and photoelectrical measurements were used to characterize effects surface morphology, chemical compositions, and crystal structures of the thin films as well as photoelectrical properties, respectively. Experimental results show that all the thin films were smooth, compact and have the kesterite structure. Furthermore, the films demonstrate p-type semiconductor characteristics, which is desirable for their applications in thin films solar cells.