Synthesis and assessment of the Mo/MoO

A facile one-step hydrothermal method was utilized to prepare Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) film employing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a complexing agent. An effective molybdenum oxide layer was also formed using the same approach for forming the Cu2ZnSnS4 film. The influence of preparation temperature on structural, morphology, and optical characteristics was studied. The formation of crystalline kesterite phase Cu2ZnSnS4 films with preferred orientation along the (112) plane was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, and it was also demonstrated that structure property changes with preparation temperatures: kesterite phase Cu2ZnSnS4 is formed at lower preparation temperatures and kesterite phase Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2S are formed with increasing preparation temperature. Also, Raman's analysis confirmed the formation of a molybdenum oxide layer on the Mo substrate. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that surface morphology changes from leaves of trees to flake-flowers. According to UV-visible analysis, Cu2ZnSnS4 films exhibited high and wide absorbance spectra in the visible and infrared regions and a band gap between (1.67–1.9) eV. Photoluminescence analysis revealed emission peaks at (1.569, 1.55, and 1.56) eV for samples prepared at (160, 200, and 230) °C, respectively, which is very close to the band's gap of Cu2ZnSnS4. Finally, the electrical study of Mo/MoO3/CZTS/Ag junctions was performed using current-voltage (I–V) measurement.