Solution-processed Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 superstrate solar cell using vertically aligned ZnO nanorods

One-dimensional (1D) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are considered to be promising materials for use in thin film solar cells because of their high light harvesting and charge collection efficiencies. We firstly report enhanced photovoltaic performances in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin film solar cells prepared using ZnO nanostructures. A CdS-coated, vertically well-aligned ZnO nanorod (NR) array was prepared via a hydrothermal reaction and nanocrystal layer deposition (NCLD) and was used as a transparent window/buffer layer in a CZTS thin film photovoltaic. A light absorber CZTS thin film was prepared on the CdS/ZnO NRs in air by depositing a non-toxic precursor solution that was annealed in two steps at temperatures up to 250 °C. The crystallized CZTS phase completely infiltrated the CdS/ZnO NR array. The nanostructured ZnO array provided improved light harvesting behavior compared to a thin film configuration by measuring UV–vis transmittance spectroscopy. The p...

Dongwook Lee and Kijung Yong

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