One-step electrochemical synthesis of Cu—Zn—Sn—Se precursor thin films from solutions containing lactic acid

Abstract

The influence of the conditions of electrochemical deposition of Cu—Zn—Sn—Se precursor thin films from solutions containing lactic acid on their optical and electrophysical properties was studied. It was found that an additional annealing step of precursor films in a selenium atmosphere at 550 °C is necessary for the preparation of single-phase polycrystalline photoconducting Cu—Zn—Sn—Se films with a band gap energy equal to ~1 eV. The obtained semiconductor CZTSe materials satisfy the composition and property requirements imposed on absorbing layers in solar panels.