Room temperature synthesis of crystalline Sb2S3 for SnO2 photoanode-based solar cell application

Abstract

The preparation of crystalline antimony sulphide (Sb 2 S 3) by chemical route at room temperature was reported in this paper. The structural, morphological and optical properties of as-synthesized sample were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the orthorhombic crystal phase for prepared Sb 2 S 3. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show uniform, dense spherical morphology having diameter around 200-220 nm. Energy band gap calculated from optical absorption spectra was observed around 2.17 eV. Contact angle measurement confirms the hydrophilic nature of the deposited film. The photoluminescence analysis shows low green luminescence as well as Stoke's shift for as-prepared Sb 2 S 3. The nanostructured solar cell is fabricated for energy harvesting purpose with Sb 2 S 3-sensitized SnO 2 photoanode and polysulphide electrolyte. The solar cell with FTO/SnO 2 /Sb 2 S 3 photoanode shows V OC ∼ 240 mV, J sc ∼ 0.640 mA cm −2 and FF ∼ 35%. The working mechanism and energy level diagram of Sb 2 S 3 /SnO 2 system have been discussed. Keywords. Sb 2 S 3 ; crystal phase; photosensitization.

Fabrication of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and mercury sulfide (HgS) heterojunction for photoelectrochemical study

“…Several strategies have been explored to extend the optical absorption of TiO 2 into the visible light region including doping of metal or nonmetal ions, dye sensitization, surface modification, and coupling with narrow bandgap semiconductors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Among these, a remarkable enhancement in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of TiO 2 under light has been obtained by coupling low bandgap semiconductors such as CdS [4], CdSe [5], Ag 2 S [6], Sb 2 S 3 [7], and Bi 2 S 3 [8].…”

“…Among these, a remarkable enhancement in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of TiO 2 under light has been obtained by coupling low bandgap semiconductors such as CdS [4], CdSe [5], Ag 2 S [6], Sb 2 S 3 [7], and Bi 2 S 3 [8]. However, to date, all such heterojunction-based solar cells do not meet the theoretical value for light-harvesting efficiency reported in the literature [9].…”

Sb2Se3 sensitized heterojunction solar cells

“…Metal chalcogenides such as CdS [1], CdSe [2], Ag 2 S [3], Sb 2 S 3 [4], Bi 2 S 3 [5] and Sb 2 Se 3 [6] have recently attracted considerable attraction of researchers due to their potential applications in electrical and optical devices. Among these materials, antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3 ) is a group V 2 -VI 3 layered structured direct band gap semiconductor with orthorhombic crystal structure [7].…”

“…However, only one report is available on photovoltaic performance of Sb 2 Se 3 as a sensitizer spin coated on TiO 2 photoanode in semiconductor sensitized solar cell applications [6]. Conversely, the reports available on Bi 2 S 3 and Sb 2 S 3 sensitized SnO 2 photoanode-based solar cells are limited [4,5], which showed very low power conversion efficiency (PCE) as compared to other nanocrystalline semiconductor sensitized solar cells. Till date, TiO 2 has widely been used as photoanode material in most of the SSSCs [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…Conversely, the reports available on Bi 2 S 3 and Sb 2 S 3 sensitized SnO 2 photoanode-based solar cells are limited [4,5], which showed very low power conversion efficiency (PCE) as compared to other nanocrystalline semiconductor sensitized solar cells. Till date, TiO 2 has widely been used as photoanode material in most of the SSSCs [1][2][3][4][5]. However, the promising optical and electrical properties of SnO 2 , such as higher electronic mobility and large band gap (3.8 eV), draw the attention of researchers towards it as an alternative photoanode for SSSC.…”