Cd concentration effect on structural, optical and electrical properties of Cu2(CdxZn1-x)SnS4

Abstract

In this paper we are reporting an in-depth study into the material properties of cadmium incorporated kesterite material Cu2(CdxZn1-x)SnS4 (CZCTS). Though it was reported in the past that CZCTS can be a candidate solar cell material, little is known about the material characteristics of this compound. In this work, the impact of Cd content on structural, morphological, optical, electrical and opto-electronic properties of CZCTS films is studied by XRD, Raman, EDXS, SEM, UV-Vis, Seebeck effect, photoconductivity, I-T, Kelvin probe, and Hall measurements. It was found that the CZCTS band-gap varies almost linearly with the Cd concentration in CZTS lattice. Photosensitivity, carrier concentration and work function showed a clear tendency with respect to Cd content. The in-depth material characterizations and in particular the electrical and opto-electronic data presented in this paper will help designing opto-electronic devices based on this material.