Fabrication of Cu₂(Zn_<i>x</i>Mg_1-<i>x</i>)SnS₄ thin films by pulsed laser deposition technique for solar cell applications

Agawane, G.L.,Vanalakar, S.A.,Kamble, A.S.,Moholkar, A.V.,Kim, J.H. Elsevier 2018 Materials science in semiconductor processing Vol.76 No.-

<P>In this study, the pulsed laser deposition technique was applied for the preparation and characterization of Cu-2(ZnxMg1-x)SnS4 (CZMTS) thin films for solar cell applications. The effects of various zinc/magnesium compositional ratios on the properties of the CZMTS thin films were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that the CZMTS thin films exhibited dense, uniform and smooth surfaces. The X-ray diffraction studies on the as-deposited and annealed CZMTS thin films showed the prominent peak from the (112) plane for kesterite phase Cu2ZnSnS4. The Raman studies on the CZMTS thin films further confirmed formation of kesterite phase and beneficial MoS2 layer. Further, the Hall measurement studies on CZMTS thin films confirmed p-type electrical conductivity behavior. The conductivity increased from 2.31 S/cm to 7.98 S/cm with increased Mg concentration. The X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy studies revealed formation of stoichiometric thin films. The direct optical band gap for the CZMTS thin films were found to be in the range of 1.3-1.5 eV, suggesting their potential application as a low cost and earth abundant thin film solar cell absorber material.</P>

Green route fast synthesis and characterization of chemical bath deposited nanocrystalline ZnS buffer layers

Agawane, G.L.,Shin, S.W.,Kim, M.S.,Suryawanshi, M.P.,Gurav, K.V.,Moholkar, A.V.,Lee, J.Y.,Yun, J.H.,Patil, P.S.,Kim, J.H. Elsevier 2013 Current Applied Physics Vol.13 No.5

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) thin films are deposited using chemical bath deposition method on the glass substrates in an aqueous alkaline reaction bath of zinc acetate and thiourea along with non-toxic complexing agent tri-sodium citrate at 95 <SUP>o</SUP>C. The results show noteworthy improvement in the growth rate of the deposited ZnS thin films and thickness of the film increases with the deposition time. From X-ray diffraction patterns, it is found that the ZnS thin films exhibit hexagonal polycrystalline phase reflecting from (101) and (0016) planes. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed the formation of hexagonal phase from the d-value calculation which was 0.3108 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the Zn-S bonding energy is at 1022.5 and 162.1 eV for Zn 2p<SUB>3/2</SUB> and S 2p<SUB>½</SUB> states, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy study shows that deposited thin films are highly uniform, with thin thickness and completely free from large ZnS clusters which usually form in aqueous solutions. Atomic force microscopy investigates that root mean square values of the ZnS thin films are from 3 to 4.5 nm and all the films are morphologically smooth. Energy dispersive spectroscopy shows that the ZnS thin films are relatively stoichiometric having Zn:S atomic ratio of 55:45. It is shown by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy that ~90% transmittance and ~10% absorbance for the ZnS films in the visible region, which is significantly higher than that reported elsewhere and the band gap energy of the ZnS films is found to be 3.76, 3.74, and 3.71 eV, respectively.

Next generation promising Cu₂(Zn_xFe_1-x)SnS₄ photovoltaic absorber material prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique

Agawane, G.L.,Shin, S.W.,Vanalakar, S.A.,Moholkar, A.V.,Kim, J.H. North-Holland 2014 Materials letters Vol.137 No.-

In this study, pioneering work has been carried out for the preparation of Cu<SUB>2</SUB>(Zn<SUB>x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1-x</SUB>)SnS<SUB>4</SUB> (CZFTS) thin films by the pulsed laser deposition technique. The effects of changing the Zn/Fe ratio of the targets on the properties of CZFTS thin films were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that all CZFTS thin films exhibited highly compact, smooth, and homogeneous surfaces. X-ray diffraction and Raman studies on CZFTS thin films showed the transformation of the kesterite to stannite phase with variation of Zn/Fe ratio. High resolution transmission electron microscope image for CFTS film showed d-spacing of 0.32nm consistent with the (112) plane. The direct optical band gap for CZFTS thin films was found to be in the range of 1.33-1.74eV.

Preparation and characterization of chemical bath deposited nanocrystalline ZnSe thin films using Na₃-citrate and hydrazine hydrate: A comparative study

Agawane, G.L.,Wook Shin, S.,Suryawanshi, M.P.,Gurav, K.V.,Moholkar, A.V.,Yong Lee, J.,Patil, P.S.,Ho Yun, J.,Hyeok Kim, J. North-Holland 2013 Materials letters Vol.106 No.-

In this paper, a comparative study reported on the characteristics of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) thin films prepared by a chemical bath deposition method using the non-toxic tri-sodium citrate (Na<SUB>3</SUB>-citrate) and toxic hydrazine hydrate (HH) as complexing agents. Morphological, structural, chemical, and optical properties were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis spectroscopy. FE-SEM and AFM studies revealed that the ZnSe thin film prepared using Na<SUB>3</SUB>-citrate was highly uniform with very low surface roughness (3nm) compared to those prepared using HH. XRD and XPS studies revealed formation of a cubic ZnSe phase and exhibited insignificant Zn3OH formation along with Zn3Se binding energies for both the films. UV-vis study showed that the band gap energies of ZnSe thin films prepared using HH and Na<SUB>3</SUB>-citrate were 3.1eV and 2.9eV, respectively. These investigations show that ZnSe thin films could be grown with good optical, structural, chemical, and compositional characteristics without using a toxic HH complexing agent.

Synthesis of simple, low cost and benign sol–gel Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films: influence of different annealing atmospheres

Agawane, G. L.,Shin, S. W.,Vanalakar, S. A.,Suryawanshi, M. P.,Moholkar, A. V.,Yun, J. H.,Gwak, J.,Kim, J. H. Springer Science + Business Media 2015 Journal of materials science Materials in electron Vol.26 No.3

<P>This study reports the preparation and characterization of CuZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films by a non-toxic sol-gel technique. The CZTS thin films were prepared on Molybdenum substrates and annealed in various atmospheres viz. N-2 gas, Sulphur (S) powder and H2S gas. The effects of various annealing atmospheres on the morphological, structural, compositional and optical properties of the CZTS thin films were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy studies on the as-deposited CZTS thin film showed that the film consisted nanocrystalline CZTS grains while all the annealed films were highly compact, uniform, and that the thickness varied from 1,884 to 832 nm. The X-ray diffraction and Raman studies on the CZTS thin films showed formation of the kesterite structure without any secondary phases. All the CZTS thin films were nearly stoichiometric with slightly Zn rich composition which is favorable for a high photovoltaic performance of solar cells. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study on all the CZTS thin films showed an asymmetric broad band emission. The direct band gap energy of the CZTS thin films was found to be between 1.3 and 1.6 eV, as confirmed by PL study. The S powder-annealed CZTS thin film was further used for the fabrication of a solar cell of structure SLG/Mo/CZTS/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Al grid. The best solar cell showed a short-circuit current density of 7.19 mA/cm(2), open-circuit voltage of 270 mV, fill factor of 39 % and power conversion efficiency of 0.77 % under air mass 1.5 (100 mW/cm(2)) illumination.</P>

Effect of probiotic containing Saccharomyces boulardii on experimental ochratoxicosis in broilers: hematobiochemical studies

Agawane S.B,Lonkar P.S. 대한수의학회 2004 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.5 No.4

In the present investigation, the toxicopathological effects of ochratoxin A of 0.5 ppm on hematobiochemical parameters of broilers were studied with efficacy of dietary concentration of probiotic containing yeast culture Saccharomyces boulardii of 10 mg/kg of feed. One hundred twenty day old chicks were randomly divided into four groups, thirty chicks each. Groups A and C chicks were offered normal feed and that added with probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii respectively. The birds in group B were fed ochratoxin A of 0.5 ppm of feed. Where as, the birds of group D, were fed with ochratoxin A of 0.5 ppm along with probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii of 10 mg/kg of diet. Hematological studies carried revealed significant decrease in the haemoglobin and packed cell volume in birds of group B and reduced effect in birds of group D due to probiotic. Biochemical profiles revealed significant improvement in probiotic treated group D when compared with decreased values of Total protein, albumin, globulin and increased levels of serum creatinine and SGPT in birds of groups B.

Thermo-mechanical studies on Er³⁺-doped fluorophosphate glasses for near infrared lasers

Agawane, G.L.,Linganna, K.,In, Jung-Hwan,Park, June,Choi, Ju H. Elsevier 2017 Ceramics international Vol.43 No.14

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Thermal, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>-BaF<SUB>2</SUB>-CaF<SUB>2</SUB>-ErF<SUB>3</SUB> fluorophosphate (FP) glasses with varying Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> and ErF<SUB>3</SUB> molar ratios have been investigated. The simultaneous thermal analysis revealed that the <I>T</I> <SUB>g</SUB>, <I>T</I> <SUB>x</SUB>, <I>T</I> <SUB>p</SUB> and Δ<I>T</I> increased constantly with increasing Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> and ErF<SUB>3</SUB> content and that favorable large values of Δ<I>T</I> (>100°C) were obtained at higher Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> and ErF<SUB>3</SUB> content. The thermo-mechanical analysis showed that the <I>T</I> <SUB>g</SUB> and <I>T</I> <SUB>s</SUB> increased constantly and coefficient of thermal expansion decreased from 16.5×10<SUP>−6</SUP> K<SUP>−1</SUP> to 11.2<SUP>×1</SUP>0<SUP>−6</SUP> K<SUP>−1</SUP> with an increase in Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> and ErF<SUB>3</SUB> content. The Knoop hardness (<I>H</I> <SUB>K</SUB>) increased constantly from 381kgf/mm<SUP>2</SUP> to 480kgf/mm<SUP>2</SUP> with increased Mg(PO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> and ErF<SUB>3</SUB> content, which indicates strengthening of the glass network with increased –PO bonds. The <I>H</I> <SUB>K</SUB> measurement at different applied loads and indentation times was carried out and from this study, it was found that an appropriate incorporation of cations into the FP glasses and the optimum rare earth concentration could considerably increase the thermal and mechanical strength of the glass. The studied glass compositions showed beneficial thermal properties and outstanding mechanical strength and can be applied for fiber drawing.</P>

NEXT GENERATION PROMISING CU₂(ZNxFE<SUB>1-x</SUB>)SNS4 ABSORBER MATERIAL PREPARED BY PULSED LASER DEPOSITION TECHNIQUE

G. L. Agawane,S.W. Shin,M.P. Suryawanshi,S.A. Vanalakar,A.V. Moholkar,J.H. Kim 한국신재생에너지학회 2014 AFORE Vol.2014 No.-

Green route fast synthesis and characterization of chemical bath deposited nanocrystalline ZnS buffer layers

G. L. Agawane,신승욱,Min Sung Kim,M.P. Suryawanshi,K.V. Gurav,A.V. Moholkar,이정용,Jae Ho Yun,P.S. Patil,Jin Hyeok Kim 한국물리학회 2013 Current Applied Physics Vol.13 No.5

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) thin films are deposited using chemical bath deposition method on the glass substrates in an aqueous alkaline reaction bath of zinc acetate and thiourea along with non-toxic complexing agent tri-sodium citrate at 95 ℃. The results show noteworthy improvement in the growth rate of the deposited ZnS thin films and thickness of the film increases with the deposition time. From X-ray diffraction patterns, it is found that the ZnS thin films exhibit hexagonal polycrystalline phase reflecting from (101) and (0016) planes. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed the formation of hexagonal phase from the d-value calculation which was 0.3108 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the ZneS bonding energy is at 1022.5 and 162.1 eV for Zn 2p3/2 and S 2p1/2 states, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy study shows that deposited thin films are highly uniform, with thin thickness and completely free from large ZnS clusters which usually form in aqueous solutions. Atomic force microscopy investigates that root mean square values of the ZnS thin films are from 3 to 4.5 nm and all the films are morphologically smooth. Energy dispersive spectroscopy shows that the ZnS thin films are relatively stoichiometric having Zn:S atomic ratio of 55:45. It is shown by ultravioletevisible spectroscopy that w90% transmittance and w10% absorbance for the ZnS films in the visible region, which is significantly higher than that reported elsewhere and the band gap energy of the ZnS films is found to be 3.76, 3.74, and 3.71 eV, respectively.

Spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped fluorophosphate glasses for NIR luminescence and optical temperature sensor applications

Linganna, K.,Agawane, G.L.,In, Jung-Hwan,Park, June,Choi, Ju H. Elsevier 2018 Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry Vol.67 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A series of Er<SUP>3+</SUP>/Yb<SUP>3+</SUP> co-doped fluorophosphate glasses with varying YbF<SUB>3</SUB> concentration were prepared by a high temperature melt quenching technique. Absorption and emission cross-sections were determined by using the McCumber theory. The larger emission cross-section (9.86×10<SUP>−21</SUP> cm<SUP>2</SUP>) and longer fluorescence lifetime (12.37ms) were obtained for the <SUP>4</SUP>I<SUB>13/2</SUB> → <SUP>4</SUP>I<SUB>15/2</SUB> transition of ABS3Er4Yb glass. The sensitivity and temperature of the maximum sensitivity were evaluated by the fluorescence intensity ratio method from the measured upconversion spectra. The results were discussed and compared to the other reported glasses.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Er<SUP>3+</SUP>/Yb<SUP>3+</SUP> co-doped fluorophosphate glasses were prepared and characterized. </LI> <LI> Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and radiative properties were evaluated from the measured absorption spectra. </LI> <LI> The strong NIR emission observed at 1540nm and its spectroscopic were investigated. </LI> <LI> Temperature dependence upconversion studies were carried out for the thermal sensing behavior of the glasses. </LI> <LI> The sensitivity and temperature of the maximum sensitivity were evaluated. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>