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ARTICLE

Chemical bath deposition of CZTS layers; study of pH, time deposition and annealing temperature effects

D. Haouanoh^a, M. Toubane^a,*, R. Talaighil^a, F. Bensouici^b

a UR˗MPE Unit, University M`Hamedbougaraboumerdes, 35000 Boumerdes, Algeria
b Science of matter department, ABBAS Laghrour University, Khenchela 40004, Algeria

* Corresponding Author:

Chalcogenide Letters 2025, 22(2), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.15251/CL.2025.222.177

Received 22 October 2024; Accepted 21 February 2025;

Abstract

CZTS thin layers were successfully deposited onto both glass and indium-tin oxide substrates using the chemical bath deposition method. The effects of solution pH, deposition time, and annealing temperature on the structural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated. Thermal analysis (DSC/TGA) shows that the CZTS kesterite structure crystallized at 237.2°C. Structural analysis by X- ray Diffraction, Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopy, revealed that the kesterite phases formation with the presence of SnO₂cassiterite and ZnO wurtzite structures in the films annealed at a higher temperature with nanocrystalline size. SEM images showed smooth and homogeneous surfaces, with the presence of cracks and voids. All films present high absorption in the visible ranges. The solution's pH and the annealing temperature significantly impact the calculated band gap. In contrast, the deposition time does not notably affect the film quality.

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