Sulfides and selenides: Materials processing and properties of kesterite solar absorbers

Sulfides and selenides are important class of materials with proven potential to drive the developments in sustainable energy technology such as photovoltaics. Among these chalcogenides, the kesterite structured semiconductors have drawn considerable attention as solar absorbers due to their advantages such as low cost, less toxicity and earth abundant nature. In this chapter, the processing and properties of such sulfides and selenides are presented, especially addressing the family of kesterite materials based on Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS). Various approaches being explored to make kesterite solar absorber films are discussed, along with the role of fabrication parameters and processing conditions on the structure formation as well as the resulting functional properties. Specifically, the effect of elemental ratio, secondary phases and intrinsic defects of kesterites on the chemical, optical, structural, electrical, and electronic properties is elaborated.