Ag‐doped PbS thin films by nebulizer spray pyrolysis for solar cells

Abstract

Summary Silver (Ag)‐doped PbS (PbS:Ag) thin films of 616 to 745 nm in thickness were prepared on glass substrates via cost‐effective nebulizer spray method by adding different Ag levels from 2% to 8% at 200°C. For solar cell applications, the effect of Ag doping concentration on structural, morphological, optical, photoluminescence, and electrical chattels of PbS thin film has been studied. X‐ray diffraction pattern confirmed the polycrystalline behavior of the prepared PbS:Ag films with cubic crystalline nature. The crystalline size and texture coefficient were increased by increasing Ag doping concentration. From the morphological studies by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM), the grain size of the films and surface roughness values were increased for the increase in Ag doping concentration. EDS spectra confirmed the existence of Ag, Pb, and S elements in the select 6% Ag‐doped PbS film. Peaks related to silver oxide started to emerge at 6% of Ag doping level. The optical direct band gap value was reduced from 1.51 to 1.17 eV for Ag doping from 2% to 6% and thereby slightly increased as 1.79 eV for 8% Ag doping level. For all PbS:Ag films, the photoluminescence spectrum emitted a strong near band edge (NBE) emission at approximately 580 nm, meaning better optical quality. Hall effect measurements evidenced that Ag doping provides enhancement on the characteristics of mobility, carrier concentration, and resistivity with p‐type conducting nature. The observed high carrier concentration and low resistivity values were 4.32 × 1014 cm−3 and 80 Ωcm, for 6% Ag‐doped PbS film. The FTO/CdS/PbS:Ag heterostructure solar cell was formed from 6% Ag‐doped film.

Combinatorial synthesis of tin antimony sulfide thin films for solar cell application

“…The matching of the XRD peaks position pattern with the standard JCPDS file number 35‐1496 endorses the orthorhombic crystal nature of the TAS thin films. The increase in particle size is noted as we move from composition 01 to composition 10 (100‐140 nm) measured by the Debye Scherer Equation 17,18 . This increase in the particle size corresponds to the increase in the antimony content.…”

“…The increase in particle size is noted as we move from composition 01 to composition 10 (100-140 nm) measured by the Debye Scherer Equation. 17,18 This increase in the particle size corresponds to the increase in the antimony content.…”

Towards environmental friendly multi-step processing of efficient mixed-cation mixed halide perovskite solar cells from chemically bath deposited lead sulphide

“…Lead sulphide (PbS) is a non-halide compound with a lower bond dissociation energy (3.3 eV) compared to oxide precursors 30 and therefore more chemically reactive which facilitates its subsequent reduction to final perovskite films. PbS can be deposited by various techniques such as vacuum evaporation 31 , spray pyrolysis 32 , successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction 33 , electrodeposition 34 , molecular beam epitaxy 35 , and chemical bath deposition (CBD) 36 , 37 .…”

Environmental Friendly Multi-step Processing of Efficient Mixed-cation Mixed Halide Perovskite Solar Cells from Chemically Bath Deposited Lead Sulphide

“…Lead sulphide (PbS) is a non-halide compound with a lower bond dissociation energy (3.3 eV) compared to oxide precursors 30 and therefore more chemically reactive which facilities its subsequent reduction to final perovskite films. PbS can be deposited by various techniques such as vacuum evaporation 31 , spray pyrolysis 32 , successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction 33 , electrodeposition 34 , molecular beam epitaxy 35 , and chemical bath deposition (CBD) 36,37 .…”