Sb₂S₃ Thin-Film Solar Cells Fabricated from an Antimony Ethyl Xanthate Based Precursor in Air

Abstract

The rapidly expanding demand for photovoltaics (PVs) requires stable, quick, and easy to manufacture solar cells based on socioeconomically and ecologically viable earth-abundant resources. Sb 2 S 3 has been a potential candidate for solar PVs and the efficiency of planar Sb 2 S 3 thin-film solar cells has witnessed a reasonable rise from 5.77% in 2014 to 8% in 2022. Herein, the aim is to bring new insight into Sb 2 S 3 solar cell research by investigating how the bulk and surface properties of the Sb 2 S 3 absorber and the current–voltage and deep-level defect characteristics of solar cells based on these films are affected by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition temperature and the molar ratio of thiourea to SbEX in solution. The properties of the Sb 2 S 3 absorber are characterized by bulk- and surface-sensitive methods. Solar cells are characterized by temperature-dependent current–voltage, external quantum efficiency, and deep-level transient spectroscopy measurements. In this paper, the first thin-film solar cells based on a planar Sb 2 S 3 absorber grown from antimony ethyl xanthate (SbEX) by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis in air are demonstrated. Devices based on the Sb 2 S 3 absorber grown at 200 °C, especially from a solution of thiourea and SbEX in a molar ratio of 4.5, perform the best by virtue of suppressed surface oxidation of Sb 2 S 3 , favorable band alignment, Sb-vacancy concentration, a continuous film morphology, and a suitable film thickness of 75 nm, achieving up to 4.1% power conversion efficiency, which is the best efficiency to date for planar Sb 2 S 3 solar cells grown from xanthate-based precursors. Our findings highlight the importance of developing synthesis conditions to achieve the best solar cell device performance for an Sb 2 S 3 absorber layer pertaining to the chosen deposition method, experimental setup, and precursors.

Understanding the effect of TiCl4 treatment at TiO2/Sb2S3 interface on the enhanced performance of Sb2S3 solar cells

“…In relation to the architecture of third-generation solar cells, Sb 2 S 3 solar cells are usually assembled using a mesoporous or planar configuration [2][3][4]. To date, most research has focused on mesoporous architecture, but planar structures are becoming more popular due to their ease of manufacturing and similar device performance.…”

Modulating the Structure and Optoelectronic Properties of Solution-Processed Bismuth-Based Nanocrystals

“…Solution-processed semiconductors are a class of semiconductors that can be fabricated from solutions and precursors, mainly benefiting from the low cost, facile and versatile preparation, flexibility, and tunability. , Compared with organic semiconductors, , metal halide perovskites, − and inorganic nanocrystals or quantum dots, , antimony- and bismuth-based chalcogenide semiconductors − are rapidly gaining attention due to their nontoxicity, superior stability, and abundant sources. , This has led to extensive research in fields such as photovoltaics, , photodetectors, photocatalysis, , and thermoelectrics. , For instance, Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 , , AgBiS 2 , ,, CuSbS 2 , , and AgSbS 2 , have also been proposed as promising candidates for photovoltaics. Particularly, bismuth-based chalcogenide semiconductors have attracted significant attention because of their enhanced optoelectronic properties.…”

“…1,2 Compared with organic semiconductors, 3,4 metal halide perovskites, 5−7 and inorganic nanocrystals or quantum dots, 8,9 antimony-and bismuth-based chalcogenide semiconductors 10−13 are rapidly gaining attention due to their nontoxicity, superior stability, and abundant sources. 14,15 This has led to extensive research in fields such as photovoltaics, 10,16 photodetectors, 17 photocatalysis, 18,19 and thermoelectrics. 20,21 For instance, Sb 2 (S,Se) 3 , 22,23 AgBiS 2 , 16,24,25 CuSbS 2 , 26,27 and AgSbS 2 12,28 have also been proposed as promising candidates for photovoltaics.…”