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Kesterites and Chalcopyrites: A Comparison of Close Cousins

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Abstract

Chalcopyrite solar cells based on CuInSe2 and associated alloys have demonstrated high efficiencies, with current annual shipments in the hundreds of megawatts (MW) range and increasing. Largely due to concern over possible indium (In) scarcity, a related set of materials, the kesterites, which comprise Cu2ZnSnS4 and associated alloys, has received increasing attention. Similarities and differences between kesterites and chalcopyrites are discussed as drawn from theory, depositions, and materials characterization. In particular, we discuss predictions from density functional theory, results from vacuum co-evaporation, and characterization via x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron beam-induced current, quantum efficiency, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and luminescence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., 80401, Golden, CO, U.S.A.

    Ingrid Repins, Nirav Vora, Carolyn Beall, Su-Huai Wei, Yanfa Yan, Manuel Romero, Glenn Teeter, Hui Du, Bobby To, Matt Young & Rommel Noufi

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  1. Ingrid Repins
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Repins, I., Vora, N., Beall, C. et al. Kesterites and Chalcopyrites: A Comparison of Close Cousins. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1324, 1701 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2011.844

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