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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Merino Alvarez, Jose ManuelAuthorLeon MAuthorCaballero RCorresponding Author

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July 1, 2020
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Effect of Na and the back contact on Cu2Zn(Sn,Ge)Se4 thin-film solar cells: Towards semi-transparent solar cells

Publicated to:SOLAR ENERGY. 206 555-563 - 2020-08-01 206(), DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.044

Authors: Ruiz-Perona A., Sánchez Y., Guc M., Khelifi S., Kodalle T., Placidi M., Merino J.M., León M., Caballero R.

Affiliations

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research IREC - Author
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) - Author
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Author
Universiteit Gent - Author

Abstract

© 2020 The Authors Cu2ZnSn1-xGexSe4 (CZTGSe) thin films have been grown onto Mo/SLG and Mo/V2O5/FTO/SLG substrates using thermal co-evaporation followed by a subsequent thermal annealing. A NaF precursor layer was evaporated prior to the deposition of the kesterite absorber layer. In the samples grown on Mo/SLG, it has been found that Na promotes Ge incorporation into the Cu2ZnSnSe4 lattice. The high concentration of incorporated Ge leads to the segregation of Sn-Se secondary phases as well as to an accumulation of Sn next to the Mo layer. The use of 12 and 16 nm NaF thick precursor layers prior to the CZTGSe deposition leads to absorber band gaps of 1.30 and 1.34 eV, and to device performances of 4.7 and 4.0%, respectively. A higher Na content, furthermore, caused the formation of bigger grains, a higher charge carrier concentration and a shorter depletion width. A 12 nm NaF precursor layer was used for the devices grown on FTO-based substrates, producing an optimal back contact that allows achieving efficiencies of 5.6% and transmittance of 30% in the near infrared range. This enhanced performance can be associated with the absence of secondary phases and Ge distribution through the absorber layer. The formation of a MoSe2 layer at the back interface in all the investigated devices seems to play a crucial role to improve the solar cell efficiency.

Keywords

Affordable and clean energy

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal SOLAR ENERGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2020, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.3, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Aug 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-08-05, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 8
  • Scopus: 10

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-08-05:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 22 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://repositorio.uam.es/handle/10486/717394
Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, with a probability of 84% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Belgium; Germany.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Ruiz-Perona A) and Last Author (CABALLERO MESA, ANA RAQUEL).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been CABALLERO MESA, ANA RAQUEL.