FURI | Spring 2018

Development of ZnSnON as a Potential Earth Abundant Solar Cell Material

This work focuses on growing ZnSnON via deposition from zinc oxide and tin oxide targets in a reactive nitrogen environment as a potential inexpensive solar material. The deposition chamber growth conditions, primarily the temperature and nitrogen content, were varied to optimize the optical and electrical properties for use as a solar absorber. These targets produced films with minimal nitrogen content and considerable oxygen content, which have a characteristic wider band gap, thus making it a potential material for tandem application. The tunable properties, as well as the material’s inexpensive and recyclable nature make it attractive for multiple optoelectronic applications.