Growth and recrystallization of CuInS2 films in spray pyrolytic process

It is shown that the structure, composition and surface morphology of chemi cally sprayed CuInS2 films depend on the growth temperature and copper to i ndium ratio in the spraying solution. In-rich films have flat surface but t hey are multiphase. The use of Cu-rich initial solutions leads to single-ph ase films with the rough surface morphology. The important role in the form ation of these films plays segregation of molten phase of thermal decomposi tion products on the surface during the spray process. The possible crystal growth mechanisms in both types of CuInS2 thin films in the spray process are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.