Electro deposited In2S3 buffer layers for CuInS2 solar cells

We report the electro deposition of In2S3 buffer layers for CuInS2 solar cells. All materials and deposition conditions were selected taking into account environmental, economic and technological aspects of a potential transfer to large volume industrial production. Different bath compositions and electro deposition parameters were studied. The obtained films exhibited complete substrate coverage, confirmed by SEM and XPS. In/S ratio close to 2/3 was obtained. XPS measurements detected the presence of indium hydroxide, transforming into oxide upon anneal at 200 °C. Maximum photoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.1% was obtained, limited mainly by a low fill factor (51%). Further process optimization is expected to lead to efficiencies comparable to CdS buffers. So far, open-circuit voltages as high as 660 mV were demonstrated.