Abstract: Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) films were synthesised using hydrothermal method, while varying the surfactants as Polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidon, polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol. The XRD reveal characteristic peaks of CZTS (112) and (220) for the sample synthesised using polyacrilic acid and in addition, numerous other peaks were observed for the remaining samples synthesised. The average crystallite sizes range between 8.76 and 19 nm. Raman spectra of the films reveal CZTS peaks of 338, 351 and 252 cm-1for samples synthesised using polyacrilic acid precursor while ZnS, SnS, Cu3SnS3, Cu3SnS4, Sn2S3 secondary and ternary phases were observed for other surfactants in addition to the 338 CZTS peak. SEM image show spherical nanoparticles and agglomerated nanosphere-like shapes. The Cu: Zn: Sn: S atom ratios were close to stoichiometry for polyacrylic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidon surfactants. There is significant deviation from stoichiometry for the other surfactants. The average surface roughness was between 800 and 2000 nm. The bandgap energy obtained from the optical characterisation varied between 1.51 eV and 1.56 eV.
Keywords: Cu2ZnSnS4, Hydrothermal, Surfactant, Thin film, Reaction Duration, Morphology, Stoichiometry.
Title: Influence of Surfactants on the Morphology and Stoichiometry of Hydrothermally Synthesised Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films for Solar cell Application
Author: Kasim Ibrahim Mohammed, Kasim Uthman Isah, Uno Esang Uno, Abdullahi Mann, Nafarizal Nayan
International Journal of Mathematics and Physical Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-5736 (Online)
Research Publish Journals
