Hysteresis effects on I–V relations in a single crystal of the Cu–In–Te system with two mobile ions

Three slices of the same In-rich chalcopyrite single crystal ingot of the Cu-In-Te system with different compositions and stoichiometric deviations are studied by means of electrical measurements. The slices are mixed electronic and ionic conductors, and under a constant applied voltage and under dark conditions, variations of the current intensity with time are observed due to ionic motion. The measuring time was 25, or 300 s, in measurements carried out subsequently two months later. Symmetric electrodes formed by graphite paint are used on both sides of the samples. The electrode/semiconductor/electrode solid-state device does not block the electrons, while it blocks the ions at the semiconductor/electrode interface. Nonlinear I-V relations and different hysteresis effects are obtained, relating the different ionic mobilities to the measuring time. To understand the different I-V relations and hysteresis cycles, a two-mobile-ion framework is applied. The effect of ion motion in the electronic current and the voltage drop at the semiconductor/electrode interface, due to ionic accumulation, are studied. The different results in each sample can only be explained by taking into account the motion of two different ions, and the different compositions and stoichiometric deviations of the slices. The understanding and, above all, the control of the ionic motion in In-rich chalcopyrites could be the key to improve the reproducibility of solar cell efficiency.