Study of physico-chemical properties of Cu2NiSnS4 thin films

This study reports the synthesis of quaternary copper nickel tin sulfide (Cu2NiSnS4) thin films using two different strategies and their physico-chemical properties. The first strategy includes co-evaporation of copper-nickel-tin-sulfur (CNTS) followed by sulfurization and the second strategy includes co-evaporation of copper-nickel-tin (CNT) followed by sulfurization. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals that the film prepared by both strategies has a polycrystalline Kesterite structure. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis shows densely covered CNTS all over the substrate. The optical analysis of both CNTS films exhibits absorption of visible wavelength in an optimal range. The CNTS thin film synthesized using thermal evaporation technique followed by sulfurization has the potential to exhibit better photovoltaic properties for solar cell applications.