Texture inheritance in thin-film growth of $Cu2ZnSnS4$

The growth mechanism of $Cu2ZnSnS4$ thin films is studied starting from highly textured ZnS precursor films. These precursors were converted to $Cu2ZnSnS4$ by subsequent deposition of Cu, Sn, and S at high temperatures. Orientation measurements revealed that the $⟨111⟩$ texture of the ZnS precursor is inherited by the $Cu2ZnSnS4$ layer. On the basis of texture and transmission electron microscopy measurements, a growth model is proposed. According to this model, the initial formation of $Cu2ZnSnS4$ nuclei is controlled by a topotactic or epitactic mechanism with respect to the ZnS precursor. The further growth of the $Cu2ZnSnS4$ grains appears to be independent of the precursor lattice.