Screen-Printing of Mechanically Alloyed Cu2SnS3 Powders for Potential Photovoltaic Absorber Layer

The non-toxic, earth-abundant, and environmentally safe features of Cu 2 SnS 3 (CTS) make it promising for diverse applications, including photovoltaic absorber layers and photodetectors. In this investigation, the viability of producing CTS precursor nanopowders via mechanical alloying and synthesis of its thick film using a low-cost and commercially feasible method of screen printing followed by sintering at 450°C in the sulfur vapor is reported. The film was studied for its structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. The X-ray diffraction result and Raman spectra illustrate the film as evidenced by the single-phase tetragonal structure. Scanning electron microscopy image indicates the formation of large, agglomerated grains. EDX spectra show that the screen-printing method has good control of stoichiometry. The CTS film displayed a semiconducting energy band gap of around 1.56 eV appraised by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Hall effect analysis indicates the p -type nature of conductivity for the film. All these outcomes showed the appropriateness of the screen-printed CTS film as a potential photovoltaic absorber layer at a reasonably low cost.