One-step electrochemical synthesis of Cu-Zn-Sn-Se precursor thin films from solutions containing lactic acid.

The influence of the conditions of electrochemical deposition of Cu-Zn-Sn-Se precursor thin films from solutions containing lactic acid on their optical and electrophysical properties was studied. It was found that an additional annealing step of precursor films in a selenium atmosphere at 550 °C is necessary for the preparation of single-phase polycrystalline photoconducting Cu-Zn-Sn-Se films with a band gap energy equal to ~1 eV. The obtained semiconductor CZTSe materials satisfy the composition and property requirements imposed on absorbing layers in solar panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]