Cu2FeSnS4 nanoparticles: Potential photovoltaic absorption materials for solar cell application

Abstract

Quaternary semiconductor Cu2FeSnS4 (CFTS) nanoparticle powder have been prepared by a simple chemical technique. The synthesized CFTS nanoparticles have been characterized via powder XRD analysis, Raman spectra, FE-SEM-EDS, UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, thermal analysis and electrochemical characterization. Powder XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirm the phase and structure of the prepared nanoparticles. The optical absorption studies reveal that the CFTS nanoparticles have a direct optimal band gap in the range from 1.32 to 1.5 eV, which indicates that these nanoparticles are potential absorber materials for thin-film photovoltaic application. The synthesized CFTS nanoparticles were transformed to the ink form and the obtained nanoparticle ink coated on a FTO conducting substrate (surface resistivity-13 Ω sq-1). The catalytic activity of the substrate was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammogram (CV) curves. The appropriate optical band gap and stable electrical properties indicate that Cu2FeSnS4 Nanoparticles are potential materials for thin-film photovoltaic application.