Effect of TaN intermediate layer on the back contact reaction of sputter-deposited Cu poor Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 and Mo

Siarhei Zhuk, Terence Kin Shun Wong, Elizaveta Tyukalova, Asim Guchhait, Debbie Hwee Leng Seng, Sudhiranjan Tripathy, Ten It Wong, Mohit Sharma, Henry Medina, Martial Duchamp, Lydia Helena Wong, Goutam Kumar Dalapati

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ultrathin tantalum nitride (TaN) intermediate layers (IL) with thickness from 3 nm to 12 nm have been used to limit the undesirable interfacial reaction between molybdenum (Mo) and copper-zinc-tin-sulphide (CZTS). The morphology, chemical and structural properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOFSIMS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) have been used for elemental analysis. Thin TaN IL shows chemical reactivity towards sulphur (S) vapor at 600 °C and the incorporation of S in TaN reduces the S concentration in Mo films at the sub-surface region and thus improves electrical conductivity of sulphurised Mo. The use of a non-stoichiometric quaternary compound CZTS target along with TaN IL enables to minimise thickness of MoS 2 layer and reduce void formation at the Mo/CZTS interface. Furthermore, incorporation of TaN IL improves scratch hardness of CZTS/Mo films to soda-lime glass substrate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-288
Number of pages12
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume471
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 31 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Elemental out-diffusion
  • Interface engineering
  • MoS
  • Sputter-grown Cu ZnSnS
  • TaN intermediate layer
  • Void reduction

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