Dr. Aurelian Catalin GALCA, project director https://publons.com/researcher/2858295/aurelian-catalin-galca/
Dr. Cristina BESLEAGA, member, senior researcher https://publons.com/researcher/2715523/cristina-besleaga/
Dr. Alin VELEA, member, senior researcher https://publons.com/researcher/1651019/alin-velea/
Dr. Viorica STANCU, member, senior researcher https://publons.com/researcher/1685263/viorica-stancu/
Dr. Iosif-Daniel SIMANDAN, member, senior researcher
Dr. Roxana Elena PATRU, member, postdoctoral researcher https://publons.com/researcher/2015080/roxana-elena-e-patru/
Dr. Mohamed Yassine ZAKI, member, postdoctoral researcher
Andrei Gabriel TOMULESCU, member, postdoctoral researcher https://publons.com/researcher/1793756/andrei-gabriel-c-tomulescu/
Outman EL KHOUJA, member, Ph.D. student.

Stage I summary:

Project PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0827 (contract PCE74/2021) aims to open perspectives for the realization of a new kesterite based photovoltaic cells. Starting from this general objective, Stage I of the PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0827 (2021.01.01 - 2021.12.31) research project was dedicated to: (1) Producing of kesterite and related thin films, and (2) Revealing new scientific insights regarding the structural, optical and electrical properties of kesterites and solar cells in correlation with composition.

Delivered results:

1 presentation (oral, invited) held at International e-Conference on Advances in Materials Science;
1 presentation (poster type) held at 36th International Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (ICAME 2021);
3 articles published in journals indexed in Web of Science®, with impact factor.

2021: THE SYNTHETIC SCIENTIFIC REPORT no. 1 in .pdf format is available at UEFISCDI, and it can be accessed by request.

Stage II summary:

Stage II of the PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0827 (2022.01.01 - 2022.12.31) research project was dedicated to: Obtaining and characterization of Cu₂ZnSn_yGe_1-yS_xSe_1-x films by methods of combinatorial synthesis, development of functional solar cells, and correlation of the parameters of the latter with the physico-chemical properties of kesterite films.

Delivered results:

7 presentation (oral) held at variuos conferences;
2 presentation (poster) held at 2 conferences;
5 articles published in journals indexed in Web of Science®, with impact factor.

2022: THE SYNTHETIC SCIENTIFIC REPORT no. 2 in .pdf format is available at UEFISCDI, and it can be accessed by request.

Stage III summary:

Stage II of the PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0827 (2023.01.01 - 2023.12.31) research project was dedicated to: Obtaining solar cells with a modified structure (as well as through the optimization of the n-type chalcogenide layer and the 'window' layer) for a better conversion of solar energy.).

Delivered results:

1 presentation (oral);
1 presentation (poster);
3 articles published in journals indexed in Web of Science®, with impact factor.

2023: THE SYNTHETIC SCIENTIFIC REPORT of the project in .pdf format is available at UEFISCDI, and it can be accessed by request.

Research stages of foreign Ph.D. students:

Ali Sadek KADARI (PhD student, Eugen Ionescu scholarship – AUF/MAE), Oran I University, Oran, Algeria, (11.09.-07.12.2022), Synthesis and characterization of semiconductor thin films by chemical and physical sputtering for optoelectronic applications

Elyazid EL MAHBOUB (PhD student), Cady Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco, (03.09.–01.12.2022), Structural characterization of kesterite/stanite films

Omar AIT LAYACHI (PhD student), Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco, (27.01.-01.03.2023), Characterization of electrochemically obtained kesterite films

Ion LUNGU (PhD student, https://cost-opera.eu/ mobility), Moldova State University, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, (16.04.2023-30.04.2023), Intermediate-Band Solar Cells (IBSCs) Based on ZnO/CdS/ZnTe Heterojunctions

Rkia ELOTMANI (PhD student, Eugen Ionescu scholarship – AUF/MAE), Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco, (04.05.-29.07.2023), Synthesis and characterization of thin film kesterite materials for low cost and low environmental impact solar cells

Katarzyna UNGEHEUER, (PhD student), AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland, (25.10.-30.01.2024), Exhaustive characterization of Cu_xO and ZnO layers for development of thin film PV

Web of Science® articles - published or accepted:

• 01. M.Y. Zaki^, F. Sava, A.T. Buruiana, I.D  Simandan^, N. Becherescu, A.C. Galca^, C. Mihai, A. Velea*^,^, Synthesis and Characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Obtained by Combined Magnetron Sputtering and Pulsed Laser Deposition; NANOMATERIALS 11 (2021) 2403. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092403
• 02. E.P. Goncearenco*, A.M. Rostas, A.C. Galca^, G. Colibaba, D.D. Nedeoglo, Activation ability of Gd dopant in the ZnSe single crystals; JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE 238 (2021) 118314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2021.118314
• 03. O. El Khouja^, A.C. Galca*^,^,  M.Y. Zaki^, · A. Talbi, · H. Ahmoum, ·K. Nouneh*, · M. Ebn Touhami,· M.Taibi,· E. Matei, · M. Enculescu, · L. Pintilie,  Secondary phases and their influence on optical and electrical properties of electrodeposited Cu2FeSnS4 films; APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING 127 (2021) 887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-021-05038-y
• 04. O. El Khouja^, C.C. Negrila, K. Nouneh, M. Secu,  M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, V. Stancu^, M. Enculescu, V. Kuncser, A.C. Galca*^,^, Bulk and surface characteristics of co-electrodeposited Cu2FeSnS4 thin films sulfurized at different annealing temperatures; JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS 906 (2022) 164379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.164379
• 05. M.Y. Zaki*^,^, O. El Khouja^, K. Nouneh, M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, S. Azmi, M.I. Rusu, C.E.A. Grigorescu, S. Briche, M. Boutamart, P. Badica, M. Burdusel, M. Secu, L. Pintilie,  A.C. Galca^, ZnS stacking order influence on the formation of Zn-poor and Zn-rich Cu2ZnSnS4 phase; JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE: MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS 33 (2022) 11989-12001. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-022-08160-6
• 06. M. Y. Zaki^, F. Sava, I. D. Simandan^, A. T. Buruiana, C. Mihai, A. Velea*^,^, A. C. Galca^, Effect of the stacking order, annealing temperature and atmosphere on crystal phase and optical properties of Cu2SnS3; SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 12 (2022) 7956. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12045-3
• 07. M. Y. Zaki^, F. Sava, I. D. Simandan^, A. T. Buruiana, I. Stavarache, A.E. Bocirnea, C. Mihai, A. Velea*^,^, A. C. Galca^, A Two-Step Magnetron Sputtering Approach for the Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 Films from Cu2SnS3\ZnS Stacks; ACS OMEGA 7 (2022) 23800. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c02475
• 08. O. El Khouja^, I. Assahsahi, K. Nouneh,  M. Ebn Touhami, M. Secu, A. Talbi, Y. Khaissa, E. Matei, V. Stancu^, A. Galatanu, A.C. Galca*^,^, Structural and transport properties of Cu2CoSnS4 films prepared by spray pyrolysis; CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL 48 (2022) 32418-32426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.07.185
• 09. M. Y. Zaki^, F. Sava, I. D. Simandan^, A. T. Buruiana, C. Mihai, A. Velea*^,^, A. C. Galca^, Cu2SnSe3 phase formation from different metallic and binary chalcogenides stacks using magnetron sputtering; MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING 153 (2023) 107195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2022.107195
• 10. O. El Khouja^, K. Nouneh,  M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, V. Stancu^, M. Enculescu, A.C. Galca*^,^, Growth and characterization of Cu–Ni–Sn–S films electrodeposited at different applied potentials; JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE: MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS 34 (2023) 760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10173-8
• 11. M. Y. Zaki^, F. Sava, I. D. Simandan^, A. T. Buruiana, A. E. Bocirnea, I. Stavarache, A. Velea*,^, A. C. Galca^, L. Pintilie, From non-stoichiometric CTSe to single phase and stoichiometric CZTSe films by annealing under Sn plus Se atmosphere; CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL 49 (2023) 33692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.08.056
• 12. O. Ait Layachi*, A. Moujib, O. El Khouja^, A. C. Galca^, A. Boudouma, S. Azmi, M. Nini, M. Nohair, E. Khoumri*, Electrodeposition mechanism of Cu2CoSnS4 thin films onto FTO-coated glass: Effect of some additives; JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 959 (2024) 118177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2024.118177
• 13. I. Lungu*, R. E. Patru^, A. C. Galca^, L. Pintilie, T. Potlog, DC current–voltage and impedance spectroscopy characterization of nCdS/pZnTe HJ; SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 14 (2024) 12955. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63615-6
• 14. A. S. Kadari, A. Nebatti Ech-Chergui*, P. R. Ghediya, A. Guendouz, M. Guezzoul, O. El Khouja^, A. E. Bocirnea, K. Driss-Khodja, B. Amrani, A. C. Galca*,^, Growth and optimization of spray coated Cu2BaSnS4 thin films for solar photovoltaic application; MATERIALIA 36 (2024) 102178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2024.102178
• 15. E. El Mahboub, O. El Khouja^, A. E. Bocirnea, S. Zakaria, A. C. Galca*,^, M. Mansori, A. El Hichou*, Investigation of kesterite to stannite phase transition and band gap engineering in Cu2Zn1-xCoxSnS4 thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating; APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE 672 (2024) 160848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160848

*corresponding author

^project team member

International Conferences:

• 01. A.C. Galca^^,*; Optical and Structural Characterization of P-type Emerging Materials for Photovoltaics, International e-Conference on Advances in Materials Science, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nandu, India, 24–26.03.2021, (oral/invited).
• 02. O. El Khouja^^,*, A.C. Galca^, K. Nouneh, E. Matei, C.C. Negrila, V. Kuncser; CEMS Investigation of CFTS Electrodeposited Films, 36th International Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (ICAME 2021), Brașov, Romania, 6-9.09.2021, (poster).
• 03.  A.C. Galca^^,*; Facts and Artifacts in XRD, Tunisian Powder Diffraction School 2022, Monastir, Tunisia, 27–30.03.2022, (oral/invited).
• 04. A.C. Galca^^,*; Materials for Energy: Structural Characterization, Tunisian Powder Diffraction School 2022, Monastir, Tunisia, 27-30.03.2022, (oral/invited).
• 05. O. El Khouja^^,*, K. Nouneh, M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, A.C. Galca^; Structural investigations of stannite films, Tunisian Powder Diffraction School 2022, Monastir, Tunisia, 27–30.03.2022, (oral).
• 06. O. El Khouja^^,*, K. Nouneh, M. Ebn Touhami, A. Talbi, Y. Khaaissa, E. Matei, M. Enculescu, V. Stancu^, A.C. Galca^; Growth and properties of Cu2NiSnS4 (CNTS) films using spray pyrolysis, E-MRS 2022 Spring Meeting, Virtual Conference, 30.05–03.06.2022, (poster).
• 07. A.C. Galca^^,*; P-type emerging materials for photovoltaics: facts and artifacts in optical and structural characterization, Advanced Functional Materials for Optics, Lasers and Photovoltaics Applications, Kenitra, Morocco, 14-16.06.2022, (oral/invited).
• 08. O. El Khouja^^,*, V. Stancu^, C.C. Negrila, K. Nouneh, M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, M. Enculescu, A.C. Galca^; Back contact effect on co-electrodeposited Cu2FeSnS4 stannite films, 9th International Conference on Optical, Optoelectronic and Photonic Materials and Applications, Ghent, Belgium, 03–08.07.2022, (poster).
• 09. A.C. Galca^^,*, A.G. Tomulescu^, O. El Khouja^, M.Y. Zaki^, V. Toma, I.D. Simandan^, A. Velea^, V. Stancu^; Co-sputtered Cu2ZnSnS4 Based Photovoltaic Cells: Results, Challenges and Perspectives, 9th International Conference on Optical, Optoelectronic and Photonic Materials and Applications, Ghent, Belgium, 03–08.07.2022, (oral).
• 10. A.C. Galca^^,*,  O. El Khouja^, A.G. Tomulescu^, M.Y. Zaki^, I.D. Simandan^, V. Stancu^, V. Toma, A. Velea^; Challenges and Perspectives of  Sputtered Cu2ZnSnS4 Based Solar Cells, 20th International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics and Materials Science (IBWAP), Constanta, Romania, 12–15.07.2022, (oral).
• 11. O. El Khouja^^,*, C.C. Negrila, K. Nouneh, M. Ebn Touhami, E. Matei, V. Kuncser, A.C. Galca^; Bulk and structural investigations of co-electrodeposited Cu2FeSnS4 stannite films, 20th International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics and Materials Science (IBWAP), Constanta, Romania, 12–15.07.2022, (oral).
• 12. A. C. Galca^^,*, O. El Khouja^, A. G. Tomulescu^, S. Derbali, C. C. Negrila, M. Y. Zaki^, I. D. Simandan^, A. Velea^, V. Stancu^, R. E. Patru^, I. Pintilie, C. Besleaga^, P-Type Emerging Materials For Photovoltaics: Facts And Artifacts in Optical and Structural Characterization, 1st International Workshop on Emerging Inorganic Chalcogenides Photovoltaics (COST CA21148 - Research and International Networking on Emerging Inorganic Chalcogenides for Photovoltaics), Tallin, Estonia, 13-18.06.2023, (poster).
• 13. A.C. Galca^,*, O. El Khouja^, S. Derbali, V. Stancu, A.G. Tomulescu^, H. Mehdi, L.N. Leonat, C.C. Negrila, I. Pintilie; Emerging Materials for Photovoltaics: Correct Assessment of Optical and Structural Properties, 20th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies, Thessaloniki, Greece, 3-8.07.2023, (oral).
• 15. C. Radu*, O. El Khouja^, YC. Gong, A. Jimenez-Arguijo, S. Giraldo, M. Placidi, Z. Jehl Li-Kao, E. Saucedo, A.C. Galca^; Morphological and structural analysis of CZCTS thin films based solar cells, European Kesterite+ Workshop & the 2nd RENEW-PV (emerging inorganic chalcogenide thin-film PV technologies) workshop (14th European Kesterite+ and ReNew-PV) https://kesterite-verona24.eu/, Verona, Italy, 26.-28.06.2024 (poster).
• 16. O. El Khouja^,*, YC. Gong, A. Jimenez-Arguijo, M. Jimenez Guerra, A. Gon Medaille, R. Scaffidi, A. Basak, C. Radu, D. Flandre, B. Vermang, S. Giraldo, M. Placidi, Z. Jehl Li-Kao, A.C. Galca^, E. Saucedo; Optimizing Sulfurization Temperature for Boosting the Performance of CZCTS Solar Cells, European Kesterite+ Workshop & the 2nd RENEW-PV (emerging inorganic chalcogenide thin-film PV technologies) workshop (14th European Kesterite+ and ReNew-PV) https://kesterite-verona24.eu/, Verona, Italy, 26.-28.06.2024 (oral).

*presenting author

^project team member

https://infim.ro/@galca/