Thermal decomposition of solution processable metal xanthates on mesoporous titanium dioxide films: a new route to quantum-dot sensitised heterojunctions

Abstract

We introduce a straightforward route to the fabrication of metal sulfide semiconductor (e.g. CdS, Sb(2)S(3), Bi(2)S(3)) sensitised TiO(2) films. Our approach is based upon the controllable thermal decomposition of a single-source metal xanthate precursor on a mesoporous metal oxide film. The growth of the metal sulfide deposit is confirmed by Raman and UV-Vis steady-state absorption measurements. Transient absorption spectroscopy measurements provide evidence for charge separation across the metal sulfide/TiO(2) interface. Moreover, a high yield of long-lived photogenerated charges is observed in a three-component TiO(2)/metal sulfide/spiro-OMeTAD film, thus demonstrating the potential of such multicomponent films for solar energy conversion devices.

Low‐Temperature Solution Processing of Mesoporous Metal–Sulfide Semiconductors as Light‐Harvesting Photoanodes

“…The use of metal xanthates and similar complexes as thermally decomposable precursors to metal sulfides is well established 3. In the context of photovoltaics, we and other groups have previously used this process in the preparation of nanostructured metal sulfide/polymer blends for use as inorganic–organic hybrid solar cell active layers,4 as well as to photosensitize mesoporous TiO 2 for SSSC‐type heterojunctions 5. Herein, we describe a general approach to the preparation of mesoporous metal–chalcogenide films from a printable metal–xanthate precursor paste.…”

Solution Processed Polymer–Inorganic Semiconductor Solar Cells Employing Sb2S3 as a Light Harvesting and Electron Transporting Material

“…[ 12 ] Consequently, Sb 2 S 3 has been recently employed as a lightharvesting material in extremely thin absorber (ETA) and solidstate nanocrystal-sensitized solar cells. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Herein, we present the fi rst example of a solution processed polymer/Sb 2 S 3 blend solar cell, in which Sb 2 S 3 acts as both a light absorber and an electron-transporting material. Specifi cally, we report the fabrication of an Sb 2 S 3 :P3HT fi lm utilizing an antimony triethyldithiocarbonate (antimony ethyl xanthate) precursor complex that decomposes into the metal sulfi de at relatively low temperatures ( ∼ 160 ° C).…”

Low‐Temperature Solution Processing of Mesoporous Metal–Sulfide Semiconductors as Light‐Harvesting Photoanodes

“…[3] In the context of photovoltaics, we and other groups have previously used this process in the preparation of nanostructured metal sulfide/polymer blends for use as inorganic–organic hybrid solar cell active layers,[4] as well as to photosensitize mesoporous TiO 2 for SSSC-type heterojunctions. [5] Herein, we describe a general approach to the preparation of mesoporous metal–chalcogenide films from a printable metal–xanthate precursor paste. As a proof of concept, we apply this to the decomposition of an antimony triethyldithiocarbonate precursor (antimony ethyl xanthate, [Sb(EX) 3 ]; Scheme 1) to form porous crystalline Sb 2 S 3 films.…”