X-ray resonant single-crystal diffraction technique, a powerful tool to investigate the kesterite structure of the photovoltaic Cu2ZnSnS4 compound.

Cu/Zn disorder in the kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 derivatives used for thin film based solar cells is an important issue for photovoltaic performances. Unfortunately, Cu and Zn cannot be distinguished by conventional laboratory X-ray diffraction. This paper reports on a resonant diffraction investigation of a Cu2ZnSnS4 single crystal from a quenched powdered sample. The full disorder of Cu and Zn in the z = 1/4 atomic plane is shown. The structure, namely disordered kesterite, is then described in the I42m space group.