Preferentially oriented large antimony trisulfide single-crystalline cuboids grown on polycrystalline titania film for solar cells

Abstract

Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity is an alternative way to use renewable energy for sustainable energy production. The great demand of low-cost and efficient solar cells inspires research on solution-processable light-harvesting materials. Antimony trisulfide (Sb 2 S 3) is a promising light-harvester for photovoltaic purposes. Here we report on the in situ grown monolayer of preferentially oriented, large Sb 2 S 3 single-crystalline cuboids on a polycrystalline titania (TiO 2) nanoparticle film. A facile, oriented seed-assisted solutionprocessing method is used, providing the Sb 2 S 3 /TiO 2-based bulk/nano-planar heterojunction with a preferred structure for efficient planar solar cells. An orientation-competing-epitaxial nucleation/growth mechanism is proposed for understanding the growth of the Sb 2 S 3 singlecrystalline cuboids. With an organic hole transporting material, the stable solar cell of the heterojunction yields a power conversion efficiency of 5.15% (certified as 5.12%). It is found that the [221]-oriented Sb 2 S 3 cuboids provide highly effective charge transport channels inside the Sb 2 S 3 layer.

Solution‐Processed Compact Sb2S3 Thin Films by a Facile One‐Step Deposition Method for Efficient Solar Cells

“…Noticeably, it has been well demonstrated that the Sb 2 S 3 crystallization for efficient solar cells normally takes place at 300−330 °C. [ 2,16–21 ] This article mainly focuses on the R effect on the Sb 2 S 3 film formation and the solar cell performance, and we fix the annealing temperature at 320 °C for the Sb 2 S 3 film crystallization.…”

“…Actually, the [221]‐orientation favors the effective charge transport toward collection electrodes. [ 21 ]…”

“…The thickness of Sb 2 S 3 film (L) is linearly controlled by the concentration (C) and independent of the molar ratio R in the precursor solution (refer to Figure 4d). Noticeably, it has been well demonstrated that the Sb 2 S 3 crystallization for efficient solar cells normally takes place at 300À330 C. [2,[16][17][18][19][20][21] This article mainly focuses on the R effect on the Sb 2 S 3 film formation and the solar cell performance, and we fix the annealing temperature at 320 C for the Sb 2 S 3 film crystallization.…”

Lead‐Free Perovskite‐Inspired Absorbers for Indoor Photovoltaics

“…Both classes of materials have shown very promising efficiencies to date under 1-sun illumination. [79][80][81] We note that Sb 2 S 3 is limited by the formation of self-trapped excitons, which leads to unavoidable losses at room temperature and limits the open-circuit voltage. Nevertheless, Sb 2 S 3 solar cells have achieved 6% PCE under 1-sun illumination, with an estimated 1-sun efficiency limit of 16%.…”

ZnS Ultrathin Interfacial Layers for Optimizing Carrier Management in Sb2S3-based Photovoltaics

“… 6 , 11 − 14 Ultrafast self-trapping of excitons in antimony chalcogenides, and in particular of Sb 2 S 3 , has been ascribed to the partly one-dimensional nature of the crystal and would set an intrinsic limitation for this family of materials. 6 , 15 , 16 A completely distinct effect, however, has been pointed out as the dominant limitation, namely the recombination of photogenerated carriers at interface traps. 8 , 17 , 18 In particular, the interface of Sb 2 S 3 with TiO 2 presents positively charged vacancies whith trap states below the conduction band.…”