Rapid facile synthesis of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ films from melt reactions

Films of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) were successfully deposited on glass substrates using blade technique in 5 min annealing time. The effect of heating temperature on the structural properties was investigated. The dithiocarbamates complexes of copper, zinc and tin were used as precursors through the blade technique. The films were kesterite phase and oriented preferentially along (112) direction. The chemical compositions at each temperature were studied in order to optimize the film stoichiometry. Cu/(Zn + Sn) ratio was between 0.815 and 0.877, and Zn/Sn was in the range of 0.93 to 1.