Liquid–solid spinodal decomposition mediated synthesis of Sb₂Se₃ nanowires and their photoelectric behavior

Abstract

The convenient synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructures of chalcogenide compounds with a visible band-gap is an essential research topic in developing next-generation photoelectronic devices. In particular, the design of a theoretically predictable synthesis process provides great flexibility and has a considerable ripple effect in nanotechnology. In this study, a novel rational growth approach is designed using the spinodal decomposition phenomenon for the synthesis of the Sb2Se3 nanowires, which is based on the thermodynamic phase diagram. Using a stacked elemental layer (Sb/Sb-Se/Se) and heat treatment at 623 K for 30 min under an N2 atmosphere, the vertically inclined one-dimensional nanostructures are experimentally demonstrated. An additional annealing process at 523 K in a vacuum effectively removed excess Se elements due to their high vapor pressure, resulting in highly dense single crystal Sb2Se3 nanowire arrays. Adaption of our synthesis approach enables significantly improved photocurrent generation in the vertically stacked structure (glass/ITO/Sb2Se3 nanowires/ITO/PEN) from 6.4 (dark) to under 690 μA (at 3 V under AM 1.5G). In addition, a photoelectrochemical test demonstrated their p-type conductivity and robust photocorrosion performance in 0.5 M H2SO4.

Promising Sb2(S,Se)3 Solar Cells with High Open Voltage by Application of a TiO2/CdS Double Buffer Layer

“…Recently, as an alternative for well‐developed Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 and CdTe absorbers, Sb 2 (S 1‐x ,Se x ) 3 (0≤x≤1) (Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 ) has been explored widely duo to its characteristics of relative non‐toxicity and earth abundant components. What's more, Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 has suitable bandgap (1.03–1.8 eV), remarkable absorption coefficient (≈10 5 cm −1 ) and high mobility (≈42 cm 2 V · s −1 ) . The ns 2 lone pair state of Sb 2+ cation in Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 also unveils the development potential of Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 in photovoltaic application .…”

Computational Approaches to Photoelectrode Design through Molecular Functionalization for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…For example, they showed that all the non‐oxide materials that were considered (III–V semiconductors, Si, SiC, Ge, and metal chalcogenides) would be ideal candidates for p‐type photocathodes because they are susceptible to oxidation but not to reduction. Moreover, predictions based on their computational approach have subsequently been validated by experimental measurements of photoelectrode reduction potentials …”

“…Therefore, most modeling approaches are yet to be extended to systematically understand and predict the effect of organic functional groups on photocorrosion resistance. This presents a significant gap between computational and more extensive experimental investigations of the stability of functionalized photoelectrodes.…”

Scalable Core–Shell MoS2/Sb2Se3 Nanorod Array Photocathodes for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Sb 2 Se 3 is also popularly known as a quasi‐1D (Q1D) material with an anisotropic orthorhombic structure, which can assist the transport of photoexcited carriers along the oriented (Sb 4 Se 6 ) n ribbons . Nanostructured Sb 2 Se 3 is reported to achieve a decent PEC hydrogen generation performance in the forms of nanoneedles, nanowires, and nanoarrays . These nanostructures could efficiently elevate the electrical and optical properties due to improved light absorption and charge carrier transportation .…”