Multi-interface engineering to realize all-solution processed highly efficient Kesterite solar cells

TL;DR

This paper presents a cost-effective, all-solution fabrication method for high-efficiency Kesterite solar cells using multi-interface engineering with organic polymers and molecules, achieving record efficiencies in rigid and flexible forms.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multi-interface engineering strategy with organic materials to enhance film quality, defect passivation, and charge transfer in solution-processed Kesterite solar cells.

Findings

Achieved 14.37% efficiency in rigid Kesterite solar cells.

Achieved 13.12% efficiency in flexible Kesterite solar cells.

Reduced production time and energy costs.

Abstract

With the rapid development of Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 solar cells in the past few years, how to achieve higher cost-performance ratio has become an important topic in the future development and industrialization of this technology. Herein, we demonstrate an all-solution route for the cell fabrication, in particular targeting at the solution processed window layer comprised of ZnO nanoparticles/Ag nanowires. A multi-interface engineering strategy assisted by organic polymers and molecules is explored to synergistically improve the film deposition, passivate the surface defects and facilitate the charge transfer. These efforts help us achieve high-performance and robust Kesterite solar cells at extremely low time and energy costs, with efficiency records of 14.37% and 13.12% being realized in rigid and flexible Kesterite solar cells, respectively. Our strategy here is also promising to be transplanted into other solar cells with similar geometric and energy band structures, helping reduce production costs and shorten the production cycle (i.e. increasing production capacity) of these photovoltaic industries.