Investigation of carrier recombination of Na-doped Cu2SnS3 solar cell for its improved conversion efficiency of 5.1

Na-doped Cu2SnS3 (CTS) solar cells are fabricated and their carrier recombination is examined. The CTS absorbers on Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrates are grown by the sulfurization of NaF/Cu–SnS2 (900 nm) precursors. The NaF thickness is varied from 0 to 100 nm to vary the Na content in the resulting CTS absorbers. It is disclosed that the large grain with the uniformity of the material distribution (Cu, Sn, and S) in the Na-doped CTS absorber is obtained. With optimal Na doping (NaF thickness of 60 nm), the open-circuit voltage deficit (VOC,def) is obviously reduced, whereas short-circuit current density deficit (JSC,def) is not varied much. The reduction of VOC,def is attributable to the decrease in the carrier recombination across the device. The conversion efficiency (η) is consequently increased to approximately 4.7%. However, with severe Na doping (NaF thickness of over 75 nm), the VOC,def is clearly increased owing to the increase in the carrier recombination, thereby reducing the η. This is occurs because the Sn2S3 and Na2S secondary phases near the surface of the CTS film are formed with the severe Na doping. To further increase the η, the JSC,def is reduced through the decrease in CdS buffer thickness. Ultimately, the 5.1%-efficient CTS solar cell is obtained with the Na-doped CTS absorber prepared with the optimal NaF thickness of 60 nm. [Display omitted] •Carrier recombination of Na-doped Cu2SnS3 (CTS) solar cells is examined.•Optimal Na doping decreases VOC,def with small change of JSC,def.•Reduction of VOC,def is resulting from decrease in the carrier recombination across device.•5.1%-efficient CTS solar cell is achieved.