Papers - IKEDA Shigeru
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Effects of TiO2 Properties on Performance of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells Reviewed
Hasyiya K. Adli, Takashi Harada, Seigo Ito, Shuji Nakanishi, Shigeru Ikeda
MRS Advances 1 ( 47 ) 3185 - 3189 2016.4
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:Materials Research Society
The effects of TiCl4 post-treatment on the physicochemical properties of porous TiO2 (pTiO2) layers fabricated at 300 °C and 400 °C (denoted as pTiO2(300) and pTiO2(400), respectively) in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite photovoltaic cells were investigated. Water contents (physisorbed water and water derived from surface hydroxyl groups) of pTiO2(300) and pTiO2(400) before and after TiCl4 post-treatment were measured by using temperature desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Moreover, structural analysis of the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite part was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the case of pTiO2(300), the content of water was increased by the TiCl4 post-treatment due to the removal of residual organic compounds that existed before the treatment. It then caused a change in the surface activity of pTiO2(300) and enhancement of solar cell performance and photocurrent density, though suppression of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite formation occurred. In comparison, contents of water were decreased for pTiO2(400), leading to enhancement of the conversion of PbI2 to CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite. As a result, there were significant increases in short circuit current density (Jscs) and PCEs. The results showed that TiCl4 post-treatment is an effective approach to prepare high-performance CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells without heat treatment at a very high temperature.
DOI: 10.1557/adv.2016.272
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Investigating relation of photovoltaic factors with properties of perovskite films based on various solvents Reviewed
Zeguo Tang, Soichiro Tanaka, Seigo Ito, Shigeru Ikeda, Kozo Taguchi, Takashi Minemoto
NANO ENERGY 21 51 - 61 2016.3
Joint Work
Publisher:ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbl(3)) perovskite solar cells are fabricated by two-step sequential deposition processes. The influence of the properties of Pbl(2) precursor film on the cell performance is investigated based on different solvents. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Urbach energy value and scan electron microscope (SEM) images reveal that solvents have considerable influence on the crystal structure, band tail and morphology of Pbl(2) precursor films. The addition of a small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent promotes the compactness and uniformity of Pbl(2) precursor films, but also causes defect in band tail. The relation of the properties of perovskite film with photovoltaic parameters is explored. A high conversion efficiency of 16.6% for solar cells based on mixed solvents with 10 vol% DMSO is achieved. Meanwhile, light beam-induced current (LBIC) images directly evidence the improvement of uniformity for perovskite solar cells caused by DMSO addition. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Impact of alloying duration of an electrodeposited Cu/Sn/Zn metallic stack on properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 absorbers for thin-film solar cells Reviewed
Feng Jiang, Shigeru Ikeda, Zeguo Tang, Takashi Minemoto, Wilman Septina, Takashi Harada, Michio Matsumura
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS 23 ( 12 ) 1884 - 1895 2015.12
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:WILEY-BLACKWELL
The impacts of preheating of an electrodeposited Cu/Sn/Zn (CTZ) stack precursor on structural changes of the CTZ precursor and the impact on structural and electric properties of the finally obtained Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) films are discussed in detail. We found that preheating for relatively long durations improved the qualities of CZTS films: these films were composed of large grains and had compact and flat surface morphologies. The best solar cell with efficiency of 8.1% was obtained on the basis of a CZTS film derived from the CTZ precursor preheated for 200 min. The external quantum efficiency response of the cell indicated efficient utilization of photons with relatively long wavelength regions because of its good structural and electronic properties. On the other hand, a short circuit current density-temperature property of one of the best cells in this study suggested that the CZTS film had deep acceptor levels and/or an appreciable energy barrier to the Mo back contact. Moreover, an open circuit voltage-temperature property of the corresponding device showed activation energy of 1.18 eV, indicating preferential occurrence of CdS-CZTS interface recombination. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DOI: 10.1002/pip.2638
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Pt/In2S3/CdS/Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film as an Efficient and Stable Photocathode for Water Reduction under Sunlight Radiation Reviewed
Feng Jiang, Gunawan, Takashi Harada, Yongbo Kuang, Tsutomu Minegishi, Kazunari Domen, Shigeru Ikeda
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 137 ( 42 ) 13691 - 13697 2015.10
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:AMER CHEMICAL SOC
An electrodeposited Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) compact thin film modified with an In2S3/CdS double layer and Pt deposits (Pt/In2S3/CdS/CZTS) was used as a photocathode for water splitting of hydrogen production under simulated sunlight (AM 1.5G) radiation. Compared to platinized electrodes based on a bare CZTS film (Pt/CZTS) and a CZTS film modified with a CdS single layer (Pt/CdS/CZTS), the Pt/In2S3/CdS/CZTS electrode exhibited a significantly high cathodic photocurrent. Moreover, the coverage of the In2S3 layer was found to be effective for stabilization against degradation induced by photocorrosion of the CdS layer. Bias-free water splitting with a power conversion efficiency of 0.28% was achieved by using a simple two-electrode cell consisting of the Pt/In2S3/CdS/CZTS photocathode and a BiVO4 photoanode.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b09015
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Effects of Porosity and Amount of Surface Hydroxyl Groups of a Porous TiO2 Layer on the Performance of a CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Photovoltaic Cell Reviewed
Hasyiya Karimah Adli, Takashi Harada, Wilman Septina, Shuji Hozan, Seigo Ito, Shigeru Ikeda
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C 119 ( 39 ) 22304 - 22309 2015.10
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:AMER CHEMICAL SOC
The structural and physicochemcal properties of a porous titanium oxide layer (pTiO(2)) in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite photovoltaic cells were systematically investigated by Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen sorption, and temperature desorption spectroscopy analyses. When the heat treatment temperature (T-pTO) during the fabrication of pTiO(2) was changed from 400 to 700 degrees C, its porosity and amount of surface hydroxyl groups were varied without alteration of the crystalline structure (anatase). Power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of solar cells based on pTiO(2) prepared at different temperatures showed a volcanic-like pattern depending on T-pTO of pTiO(2); the highest PCE was obtained by using pTiO(2) prepared at T-pTO of 550 degrees C. Structural analyses of the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite part performed by X-ray diffraction indicated that formation of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite was inhibited by the presence of a large amount of surface hydroxyl groups on pTiO(2) prepared at relatively low T-pTO (<550 degrees C). On the other hand, significant reduction of porosity of pTiO(2) occurred when pTiO(2) was prepared at relatively high T-pTO (>550 degrees C) because of extinction of micropores and sintering between the TiO2 particles; such a structural alteration hindered the penetration of CH3NH3I into the pore channel of TiO2 filled by PbI2, resulting in a large amount of PbI2 remaining in the finally obtained photovoltaic cell. Hence, the optimum T-pTO (550 degrees C) for fabrication of pTiO(2) should be determined by its porous nature and sufficient removal of surface hydroxyl groups.
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Masaaki Kurihara, Wilman Septina, Toshiyuki Hirano, Yasuhiro Nakajima, Takashi Harada, Shigeru Ikeda
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS 54 ( 9 ) 91203-1 - 91203-5 2015.9
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author, Corresponding author Publisher:IOP PUBLISHING LTD
A detailed process of fabricating Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) via the spray pyrolysis of a thiourea-based precursor solution followed by selenization is reported. The optimization of the selenization condition for the fabrication of the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) film led to a conversion efficiency of 7.8% for the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2)-based device. We also showed that 1-methylthiourea was a more suitable sulfur source for the spray pyrolysis technique, resulting in a conversion efficiency of 8.7% (V-OC = 0.52 V, J(SC) = 31 mA cm(-2), and FF = 0.54) without any antireflection coating. (C) 2015 The Japan Society of Applied Physics
Other Link: http://stacks.iop.org/1347-4065/54/i=9/a=091203?key=crossref.563a6f847dbeac0424714232c3b88eae
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Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film solar cells with 5.8% conversion efficiency obtained by a facile spray pyrolysis technique Reviewed
Thi Hiep Nguyen, Wilman Septina, Shotaro Fujikawa, Feng Jiang, Takashi Harada, Shigeru Ikeda
RSC ADVANCES 5 ( 95 ) 77565 - 77571 2015.9
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
An attempt was made to fabricate Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film absorber on a Mo-coated glass substrate by using facile spray pyrolysis deposition of a precursor film from an aqueous solution containing Cu(NO3)(2), Zn(NO3)(2), Sn(CH3SO3)(2) and thiourea. In order to obtain a stable solution for the spray pyrolysis deposition without formation of an SnO2 precipitate, the mixing order of source materials was found to be important. Annealing of the thus-obtained precursor film in sulfur vapor at temperatures ranging from 580 degrees C to 600 degrees C resulted in successful formation of homogeneous films composed of CZTS crystallites. Based on structural analyses of CZTS films having different Sn contents, an Sn-rich composition compared to its stoichiometric amount was found to be essential for efficient grain growth of the resulting CZTS films. A solar cell based on the Sn-rich CZTS film obtained by an optimum annealing condition exhibited maximum conversion efficiency of 5.8%.
DOI: 10.1039/c5ra13000j
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Investigation of the Electric Structures of Heterointerfaces in Pt- and In2S3-Modified CuInS2 Photocathodes Used for Sunlight-Induced Hydrogen Evolution Reviewed
Gunawan, Wilman Septina, Takashi Harada, Yoshitaro Nose, Shigeru Ikeda
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 7 ( 29 ) 16086 - 16092 2015.6
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) modified with art In2S3 layer and a Pt catalyst showed a more efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) property for hydrogen evolution from a nearly neutral (pH 6) 0.2 M NaH2PO4 solution under simulated sunlight illumination (AM 1.5G) than that of a CuInS2 electrode modified with a CdS layer and a Pt catalyst. Analysis of the PEC properties of In2S3 modified CuInS2 (In2S3/CuInS2) and CdS-modified CuInS2 (CdS/CuInS2) in solutions containing an electron scavenger (Eu3+) showed identical enhancement of the PEC properties of In2S3/CuInS2 when compared to those of CdS/CuInS2, indicating the formation of a favorable heterointerface in In2S3/CuInS2 for efficient charge separation. Spectroscopic evaluation of conduction band offsets revealed that In2S3/CuInS2 had a notch-type conduction band offset, whereas a cliff-type offset was formed in CdS/CuInS2: these results also revealed a,better interface electric structure of In2S3/CuInS2 than that of CdS/CuInS2.
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T. Hamada, A. Fukuyama, F. Jiang, S. Ikeda, T. Ikari
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI C: CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, VOL 12, NO 6 12 ( 6 ) 725 - 728 2015.5
Joint Work
Publisher:WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is paid attention to the low-cost and nontoxic solar cell material. In this study, CZTS thin film was deposited by using an electrodeposition technique followed by a sulfurization after preheating the deposited metallic precursor layer. We investigated the film properties of CZTS thin films for understanding the effect of preheating time on the photovoltaic properties such as carrier lifetime and recombination mechanism by using a microwave photoconductivity decay (mu-PCD) and a photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The results of the mu-PCD measurements showed that carrier lifetime increased with increasing the preheating time and longer carrier lifetime was observed in a part of deposited thin film. The PL measurements showed the peak energy shift to lower energy region by a surface position of the sample preheated for 150 min. We found the CZTS crystal quality improved but the homogeneity worsened with increasing the preheating time. (C) 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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Photosplitting of Water from Wide-Gap Cu(In,Ga)S-2 Thin Films Modified with a CdS Layer and Pt Nanoparticles for a High-Onset-Potential Photocathode Reviewed
Wilnan Septina, Gunawan, Shigeru Ikeda, Takashi Harada, Masanobu Higashi, Ryu Abe, Michio Matsumura
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C 119 ( 16 ) 8576 - 8583 2015.4
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Photoelectrochemical water splitting from photocathodes based on wide-gap Cu(In,Ga)S-2 (CIGS) thin films modified with a CdS layer and Pt nanoparticles was investigated. CIGS films with various amounts of Ga were fabricated using spray pyrolysis followed by sulfurization. As analyzed using 0.1 M Na2SO4 (pH 9) as an electrolyte under illumination of simulated sunlight (AM 1.5G), both photocurrent densities and onset potentials of the photocathodes were gradually improved by an increase in the amount of Ga in the CIGS films up to a Ga/(In + Ga) ratio of 0.25 (Pt-CdS/CIGS(25)). Further inclusion of Ga in the CIGS film was detrimental for both photocurrent density and onset potential. The maximum photocurrent density of 6.8 mA cm(-2) (at 0 V vs RHE) and the highest photocurrent onset potential of 0.89 V vs RHE were obtained by using the Pt-CdS/CIGS(25) photocathode. Achievements of a relatively wide interface band gap of the CIGS/CdS heterointerface and formation of relatively large grains in the Pt-CdS/CIGS(25) sample were likely to be responsible for such superior water reduction properties
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Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) Thin Film Solar Cell with 10.7% Conversion Efficiency Obtained by Selenization of the Na-Doped Spray-Pyrolyzed Sulfide Precursor Film Reviewed
Wilman Septina, Masaaki Kurihara, Shigeru Ikeda, Yasuhiro Nakajima, Toshiyuki Hirano, Yoshihito Kawasaki, Takashi Harada, Michio Matsumura
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 7 ( 12 ) 6472 - 6479 2015.4
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Selenium-rich Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) (CIGSSe) thin films on an Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrate were fabricated by spray pyrolysis of an aqueous precursor solution containing Cu(NO3)(2), In(NO3)(3), Ga(NO3)(3), and thiourea followed by selenization at 560 degrees C for 10 min. We studied the effects of intentional sodium addition on the structural and morphological properties of the fabricated CIGSSe films by dissolving NaNO3 in the aqueous precursor solution. The addition of sodium was found to affect the morphology of the final CIGSSe film: the film had denser morphology than that of the CIGSSe film obtained without addition of NaNO3. Photoelectrochemical measurements also revealed that the acceptor density of the nondoped CIGSSe film was relatively high (N-a = 7.2 x 10(17) cm(-3)) and the addition of sodium led to a more favorable value for solar cell application (N-a = 1.8 x 10(17) cm(-3)). As a result, a solar cell based on the sodium-modified CIGSSe film exhibited maximum conversion efficiency of 8.8%, which was significantly higher than that of the cell based on nondoped CIGSSe (4.4%). In addition, by applying MgF2 antireflection coating to the device, the maximum efficiency was further improved to 10.7%.
DOI: 10.1021/am507684x
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Enhancement of Solar Hydrogen Evolution from Water by Surface Modification with CdS and TiO2 on Porous CuInS2 Photocathodes Prepared by an Electrodeposition-Sulfurization Method Reviewed
Jiao Zhao, Tsutomu Minegishi, Li Zhang, Miao Zhong, Gunawan, Mamiko Nakabayashi, Guijun Ma, Takashi Hisatomi, Masao Katayama, Shigeru Ikeda, Naoya Shibata, Taro Yamada, Kazunari Domen
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION 53 ( 44 ) 11808 - 11812 2014.10
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
Porous films of p-type CuInS2, prepared by sulfurization of electrodeposited metals, are surface-modified with thin layers of CdS and TiO2. This specific porous electrode evolved H-2 from photoelectrochemical water reduction under simulated sunlight. Modification with thin n-type CdS and TiO2 layers significantly increased the cathodic photocurrent and onset potential through the formation of a p-n junction on the surface. The modified photocathodes showed a relatively high efficiency and stable H-2 production under the present reaction conditions.
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Gunawan, Septina Wilman, Ikeda Shigeru, Harada Takashi, Minegishi Tsutomu, Domen Kazunari, Matsumura Michio
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 50 ( 64 ) 8941 - 8943 2014.8
Joint Work
Publisher:ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
A highly efficient CuInS2-based photocathode for water reduction with a maximum applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of ca. 2% was prepared by using a novel In2S3 surface modifier.
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC03634D
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Selective production of CuSbS2, Cu3SbS3, and Cu3SbS4 nanoparticles using a hot injection protocol Reviewed
Shigeru Ikeda, Shinji Sogawa, Yuji Tokai, Wilman Septina, Takashi Harada, Michio Matsumura
RSC ADVANCES 4 ( 77 ) 40969 - 40972 2014.8
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Homogeneous Cu-Sb-S nanocrystals with several compositions can be synthesized in a solution through the hot-injection method. Photoelectrochemical analyses of films of these nanoparticles revealed that these nanoparticles have p-type semiconductive characters.
DOI: 10.1039/c4ra07648f
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Efficiency evaluation in solar cell by chemically processed hierarchically stacked debundled pristine carbon nanotubes Reviewed
M. Alam Khan, Shigeru Ikeda, Michio Matsumura
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA 130 406 - 411 2014.7
Joint Work
Publisher:PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Pristine SWCNT and MWCNT were individualized and debundled in an N-N dimethyl tetraformamide solvent by a combination of ultrasonication and centrifugation. The wt% (mg) of the pristine CNTs loading were optimized with respect to quantity of solvent (ml). Choice of solvent, ultracentrifugation speed and ultrasonication time were essential parameters for obtaining good individualization of pristine CNTs. By using such CNTs, a thin nanotubes layer (similar to 15 nm) were inserted at the different hierarchical positions into bulk heterojunction solar cell devices made of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester with weight ratio of 1:1. By inserting such a pristine SWCNTs between PEDOT:PSS and P3HT:PCBM layers, an increase in the solar cell efficiency from 1.51% ((J(sc) of 6.68 mA/cm(2),V-oc of 0.60, FF of 37) to 2.65% (J(sc) of 11 mA/cm(2),V-oc of 0.58, FF of 42) were observed. However, functionalized CNTs shows a degrading efficiency of 0.25% which can be attributed to degradation of corrugated tubular surface side walls leading to potential loss of their optoelectronic properties. The enhanced efficiency of devices with pristine SWCNTs can be conjectured to better opto-electrical properties, enhanced transition, improved local structure and the undamaged tubes. The microstructures of the heterojunction active layer were examined by using AFM, TEM, UV-Vis spectra, IV curve and EQE techniques. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose to glucose in an autoclave containing both gaseous and liquid water Reviewed
Takashi Harada, Yuji Tokai, Akira Kimura, Shigeru Ikeda, Michio Matsumura
RSC ADVANCES 4 ( 51 ) 26838 - 26842 2014.6
Joint Work
Publisher:ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Hydrolysis of cellulose was investigated in an autoclave. The yield of glucose produced from crystalline cellulose was dependent on the amount of water added to the autoclave. The highest glucose yield of 17% was obtained after 5 h reaction at 190 degrees C in the presence of a small amount of liquid water in the autoclave. When hydrolysis was carried out in saturated vapor pressure in the autoclave in which cellulose was separated from liquid water, nearly the same yield of 15% was obtained. However, when cellulose was soaked in water, the yield was decreased to about 5%. The results suggested that water vapor plays an important role in hydrolysis of the beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds of cellulose. In addition, hydrolysis of the beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds and degradation of produced glucose under hydrothermal conditions were investigated by using cellobiose (a dimer of glucose) and authentic glucose, respectively.
DOI: 10.1039/c4ra02396j
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Pure Sulfide Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Solar Cells Fabricated by Preheating an Electrodeposited Metallic Stack Reviewed
Feng Jiang, Shigeru Ikeda, Takashi Harada, Michio Matsumura
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS 4 ( 7 ) 1301381-1 - 1301381-4 2014.5
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
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Fabrication of an efficient electrodeposited Cu2ZnSnS4-based solar cells with more than 6% conversion efficiency using a sprayed Ga-doped ZnO window layer Reviewed
Feng Jiang, Shigeru Ikeda, Takashi Harada, Akiko Ide, Akiko Mochihara, Kenji Yoshino, Michio Matsumura
RSC ADVANCES 4 ( 46 ) 24351 - 24355 2014.5
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
By the combination of electrochemical deposition of a high-quality Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film photoabsorber and low-temperature spray deposition of Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) transparent conductive oxide, we fabricated a non-vacuum-processed CZTS solar cell. Despite various unoptimized parameters for the TCO layer, such as deposition temperatures and control of film thicknesses, we could obtain the best conversion efficiency of 6.43% with a short circuit current density, an open circuit voltage and a fill factor of 16.6 mA cm(-2), 678 mV and 0.571, respectively.
DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03857f
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Photoelectrochemical Characterizations of CuInS2 and Cu(In,Ga)S2 Thin Films Fabricated by A Spray Pyrolysis Method Reviewed
Ikeda, Shigeru; Iga, Yuta; Septina, Wilman; Harada, Takashi; Matsumura, Michio
ADVANCED MATERILS RESEARCH 894 427 - 431 2014.3
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CuSbS2-based thin film solar cells prepared from electrodeposited metallic stacks composed of Cu and Sb layers
Shigeru Ikeda, Yuta Iga, Wilman Septina, Takashi Harada, Michio Matsumura
Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference ( 6745005 ) 2598 - 2561 2014.2
Joint Work
Authorship:Lead author Publisher:Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Polycrystalline copper antimony sulfide (CuSbS2) films were fabricated by sulfurization of electrodeposited metallic stacks of Cu and Sb layers with various Cu/Sb atomic ratios at 450°C in H2S (5% in Ar). Structural analyses using X-ray diffraction revealed that CuSbS2 films obtained from Cu-poor and Cu-rich metallic stacks (Cu/Sb = 0.7 and 1.3) contained impurity phases, whereas single-phase CuSbS2 film was formed from the stoichiometric stack (Cu/Sb = 1). Morphological studies using SEM indicated that adherence of thus-formed CuSbS2 films to the Mo substrate was dependent on the precursor composition: a CuSbS2 film with poor adherence having many crevices was formed when the Cu-rich metallic stack was used, while CuSbS2 films with good adherences were obtained when Cu-poor and stoichiometric metallic stacks were used. Performance of solar cells with an Al:ZnO/CdS/CuSbS2/Mo structure also depended on structural characteristics of these CuSbS2 films, i.e., a preliminary conversion efficiency of ca. 3% was obtained for device based on the CuSbS 2 film obtained from the stoichiometric metallic stack, whereas the devices derived from Cu-poor and Cu-rich metallic stacks showed the conversion efficiency less than 1%. © 2013 IEEE.