Effects of different needles and substrates on CuInS2 deposited by electrostatic spray deposition

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 519; no. 11; pp. 3544 - 3551
• Main Authors: Roncallo, S., Painter, J.D., Healy, M.J.F., Ritchie, S.A., Finnis, M.V., Rogers, K.D., Scragg, J.J., Dale, P.J., Zoppi, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 31.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Coating uniformity; Composition and phase identification; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; COPPER INDIUM SULFIDE; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; CuInS2; DEPOSITION; Deposition conditions; Electrodeposition, electroplating; Electrostatic spray deposition (ESD); Electrostatics; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Glass; GLASSES; Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Natural energy; NEEDLES; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Spray deposition; Sprayers; SPRAYING; Sprays; Structure and morphology; thickness; Substrates; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology; THIN FILMS; Solar cells; Deposition conditions; Needles; Coating uniformity; Electrostatic spray deposition (ESD); CuInS2; Substrates; Glass; Coatings; Thin film; Tin addition; Tin oxide; Copper sulfide; Electrodeposition; Oxidation; Copper; Indium sulfide; Scanning electron microscopy; Phase composition; Surface morphology; Secondary ion mass spectrometry; Indium; Surface composition; X ray diffraction; Solar cell; Stainless steel; Aerosols; Fluorine addition; CuInS
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2011.01.248

Copper indium disulphide (CuInS2) thin films were deposited using the electrostatic spray deposition method. The effects of applied voltage and solution flow rate on the aerosol cone shape, film composition, surface morphology and current conversion were investigated. The effect of aluminium substrates and transparent fluorine doped tin oxide (SnO2:F) coated glass substrates on the properties of as-deposited CuInS2 films were analysed. An oxidation process occurs during the deposition onto the metallic substrates which forms an insulating layer between the photoactive film and substrate. The effects of two different spray needles on the properties of the as-deposited films were also studied. The results reveal that the use of a stainless steel needle results in contamination of the film due to the transfer of metal impurities through the spray whilst this is not seen for the glass needle. The films were characterised using a number of different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Rutherford back-scattering and secondary ion mass spectroscopy and opto-electronic measurements.