Sulfur-Functionalized Titanium Carbide Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) Nanosheets Modified Light Absorbers for Ambient Fabrication of Sb₂S₃ Solar Cells

Abstract

Modifying light-harvesting photoactive materials via doping and/or functionalization approaches is an effective approach for enhancing the efficiency and stability of solar cells. Herein, sulfur-functionalized two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbide (S-MXene) nanosheets are synthesized and introduced as doping agents into the Sb2S3 light absorbers for solar cells. Furthermore, Sb2S3 solar cells are fabricated in two different experimental environments including an inert gas (argon) and ambient conditions (air) using S-MXene as the dopant. Our theoretical calculations and experimental analysis revealed that the ambient air fabrication and incorporation of conductive S-MXene can lead to an increase in the charge transport of Sb2S3 solar cells as well as introduce a p-type doping effect. Moreover, the best-performing device with S-MXene fabricated in air exhibited significant enhancement (59.65%) in the performance with respect to the S-MXene-doped cells fabricated in a glovebox filled with an inert gas. This work not only introduces the possibility of ambient air fabrication of Sb2S3 solar cells but also opens an avenue toward the development of functionalized 2D dopants for Sb2S3 solar cells.

The dawn of MXene duo: revolutionizing perovskite solar cells with MXenes through computational and experimental methods

“…The device fabricated in air is expected to give high performance with well-grown cuboidal structures due to the presence of O and S as codopants compared to an inert atmosphere (Ar). 109…”

Investigating the Effect of Nonideal Conditions on the Performance of a Planar Sb2Se3-Based Solar Cell through SCAPS-1D Simulation

“…Metal chalcogenide semiconductors, consisting of CuS, CdSe, CuInS 2 , Bi 2 S 3 , In 2 S 3 , CdS, CdTe, PbS, and Sb 2 Se 3 , have piqued the interest of the PV community in this area since they offer lower production costs as well as many other appealing qualities such as high transparency and flexibility. 3 In semiconducting materials, Shockley−Read−Hall (SRH) recombination can be helped along by traps if the particles have high energy levels and large capture cross sections. SRH recombination decreases the solar cell performance by causing open-circuit voltage (V OC ) loss, which is the biggest problem in the production of high-performance solar cell materials.…”

“…Because of this, scientists and engineers have been working hard to find and make new kinds of solar cells. Metal chalcogenide semiconductors, consisting of CuS, CdSe, CuInS 2 , Bi 2 S 3 , In 2 S 3 , CdS, CdTe, PbS, and Sb 2 Se 3 , have piqued the interest of the PV community in this area since they offer lower production costs as well as many other appealing qualities such as high transparency and flexibility . In semiconducting materials, Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) recombination can be helped along by traps if the particles have high energy levels and large capture cross sections.…”

ACS Applied Nano Materials Australia Forum

“…Here, Gunenthiran et al from the University of Adelaide engineered nanoporous anodized alumina for developing photonic crystals . Separately, Myagmarsereejid et al, in a joint work between Griffith University and the University of Queensland, reported that functionalization of titanium carbide MXene nanosheets with sulfur could be used as an efficient light absorber for solar cells . In a joint work between the University of Technology Sydney and RMIT, Yamamura et al investigated the introduction of defects into nitrogen-doped Ga 2 O 3 nanowires to enhance luminescence .…”

“…9 Separately, Myagmarsereejid et al, in a joint work between Griffith University and the University of Queensland, reported that functionalization of titanium carbide MXene nanosheets with sulfur could be used as an efficient light absorber for solar cells. 10 In a joint work between the University of Technology Sydney and RMIT, Yamamura et al investigated the introduction of defects into nitrogen-doped Ga 2 O 3 nanowires to enhance luminescence. 11 Ultimately, Low et al from RMIT investigated strain modulation of the optoelectronic characteristics of 2D black phosphorus.…”