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  Niedenzu, S.; Gurieva, G.; Schorr, S.: Cu₂ZnGe(S_1-xSe_x)₄ - The challenge to synthesize single phase material. Thin Solid Films 669 (2019), p. 625-628

10.1016/j.tsf.2018.11.039
Open Access Version (externer Anbieter)

Abstract:
The variation of the band gap energy in Cu2ZnGeSe4 and Cu2ZnGeS4 from 1.4 eV to 1.7 eV, which is controlled by different S/(S+Se) ratios renders the Cu2ZnGe(S1-xSex)4 solid solution an interesting material for the application in multi-junction solar cells. Nevertheless, this system has a certain complexity due to the existence of different polymorphs. Cu2ZnGeSe4 crystallizes in the tetragonal kesterite type structure, whereas Cu2ZnGeS4 may crystallize in the tetragonal stannite or the orthorhombic wurtz-stannite type structure, respectively. To gain deeper insights into this complex system a systematic study of the solid solution series Cu2ZnGe(S1-xSex)4 was performed using polycrystalline material prepared by solid state reaction. The chemical analysis performed by wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed remarkable inhomogeneities with different quaternary phases co-existing within one sample. Additionally, a wide variety of binary and ternary secondary phases as well as elemental Ge was observed. The variety of secondary phases is higher in S-rich samples than in Se-rich samples of the solid solution. Thus, synthesis of Cu2ZnGe(S1-xSex)4 mixed crystals with off-stoichiometric composition is readily accompanied by the formation of various secondary phases making it a difficult task to obtain single phase material.