Cu–Sn–Zn–S system; Phase transformation; Microstructure; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Solar energy materials
Abstract :
[en] More than 35 samples of the Cu–Zn–Sn–S system were prepared along the ZnS–Cu2SnS3 section, in order to study the bulk properties of the Cu2ZnSnS4 semiconductor. During the investigation of these samples, a new quaternary phase was detected by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analyses. The results indicate that the new phase has a range of solubility corresponding to Cu(2-2x)Zn(6+3x)Sn(1-x)S9 with 0 < x < 0.74 and decomposes at 790 °C as determined by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA).