- Bär, Marcus;
- Repins, Ingrid;
- Weinhardt, Lothar;
- Alsmeier, Jan-Hendrik;
- Pookpanratana, Sujitra;
- Blum, Monika;
- Yang, Wanli;
- Heske, Clemens;
- Wilks, Regan G;
- Noufi, Rommel
The chemical structure of the CdS/Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) interface was studied by a combination of electron and X-ray spectroscopies with varying surface sensitivity. We find the CdS chemical bath deposition causes a "redistribution" of elements in the proximity of the CdS/CZTSe interface. In detail, our data suggest that Zn and Se from the Zn-terminated CZTSe absorber and Cd and S from the buffer layer form a Zn-Se-Cd-S interlayer. We find direct indications for the presence of Cd-S, Cd-Se, and Cd-Se-Zn bonds at the buffer/absorber interface. Thus, we propose the formation of a mixed Cd(S,Se)-(Cd,Zn)Se interlayer. We suggest the underlying chemical mechanism is an ion exchange mediated by the amine complexes present in the chemical bath.