Emerging Binary Chalcogenide Light Absorbers: Material Specific Promises and Challenges

Abstract

In the quest for higher efficiency and lower cost solar energy conversion devices, new light absorber materials are being intensively researched. With their attractive optical and electrical properties, metal chalcogenide materials have emerged as promising candidates for these nextgeneration light absorbers. In this review, we survey studies on chalcogenide light absorbers having a simple binary composition, namely, Cu 2 S, SnS, GeSe, WSe 2 , Sb 2 S 3 , and Sb 2 Se 3 . Each material has its own unique strengths and weaknesses in terms of cost, abundance, optoelectronic properties, secondary phase formation, anisotropic carrier transport, and defect properties. After critical consideration of the unique properties, we scrutinize recently developed strategies for overcoming the material specific challenges while presenting future perspectives on each material.

One-Dimensional Flat Bands and Anisotropic Moiré Excitons in Twisted Tin Sulfide Bilayers

“…Similar to black phosphorus, few-layer monochalcogenides, such as SnS, are known to possess tunable band gaps, strong in-plane anisotropy, and high electron mobilities . Group IV monochalcogenides are also predicted to exhibit giant piezoelectricity, , room-temperature ferroelectricity , and ferroelasticity, , and a large bulk photovoltaic effect. − …”

Present Status and Future Perspective of Antimony Chalcogenide (Sb2X3) Photovoltaics

“…One notable advantage of Sb 2 X 3 over other binary semiconductors is their crystallization in a single stable (orthorhombic) phase, ensuring high phase purity in the synthesized material. Therefore, films synthesized using either solution processing or vacuum techniques are free of any undesired/detrimental secondary phases . The abundance of Sb, S, and Se elements in the Earth’s crust is 0.2, 520, and 0.05 ppm, respectively.…”

“…Fuller and Pearson (Bell Lab colleagues) invented the first practical Si PV cell in 1954, delivering 6% PCE . Si is the second-most abundant element on Earth’s crust and is, therefore, readily available for use as a photon harvesting material. Single-crystalline and multicrystalline Si solar cells dominate the global PV market, with the combined share exceeding 90%. , Si PVs have undergone extensive research and development for more than half a century; therefore, they have evolved into a well-established and mature technology.…”

“…Si is the second-most abundant element on Earth’s crust and is, therefore, readily available for use as a photon harvesting material. Single-crystalline and multicrystalline Si solar cells dominate the global PV market, with the combined share exceeding 90%. , Si PVs have undergone extensive research and development for more than half a century; therefore, they have evolved into a well-established and mature technology. Although, Si solar cells are stable, efficient, and aesthetic, they have inherent disadvantages of fragility, bulkiness, rigidity, and high manufacturing and installation costs .…”

Interface Modification Uncovers the Potential Application of SnO2/TiO2 Double Electron Transport Layer in Efficient Cadmium‐Free Sb2Se3 Devices

“…Emerging binary chalcogenide materials like Cu 2 S, SnS, GeSe, WSe 2 , Sb 2 S 3 , and Sb 2 Se 3 have attracted a lot of attention in recent years owing to their merits in solar energy conversion application. [1] Among them, antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3 ) is acknowledged as one of the most promising materials in photovoltaic application for its excellent properties like appropriate bandgap of 1.1-1.2 eV, [2] high absorption coefficient (>10 5 cm −1 ), [3] earth abundant low-toxic constituents (Sb: 0.2 ppm, Se: 0.05 ppm), [4] self-passivated grain boundaries, [4][5] stable orthorhombic crystalline phase and free of complex phase control during manufacturing. [5][6][7] Up to date, owing to the experimental efforts like seed screening, [8] forming core-shell structured Sb 2 Se 3 array, [9] optimizing fabrication approach [10] etc.…”