Solution-Processed All-inorganic Planar Heterojunction Solar Cells by Employing In Situ Grown Interfacial Layer with Dual Functions: Complementary Absorption and Selective Extraction of Photogenerated Holes.

ABSTRACT: Photovoltaic conversion of renewable solar energy into electricity for sustainable energy production requires efficient, stable, and low-cost solar cells. Developing solution-processed all-inorganic solar cells is a practical scenario in virtue of the high charge mobility and good stability of inorganic semiconductors. Here, for the first time, we present a solution-processed all-inorganic planar heterojunction solar cell based on the nanoparticle film of copper indium sulfide (CuInS₂) by using an antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃) nanoparticle film as an interfacial layer between the CuInS₂ photon-harvesting layer and cathode. All of the component layers in the solar cell are in a superstrate architecture and sequentially in situ grown on a transparent conducting glass acting as anode by solution-processing methods. The dependences of device performance on the thickness of Sb₂S₃ film and the reduction of hole-trapping centers in the Sb₂S₃ film by thioacetamide treatment are investigated. The optimized all-inorganic device exhibits the best power conversion efficiency of 4.85% under AM 1.5G illumination and an excellent thermal stability. It is found that the Sb₂S₃ interfacial layer sandwiched between the CuInS₂ photon-harvesting layer and counter-electrode has dual functions, that is, to provide complementary absorption after CuInS₂ attenuation and to act as an effective hole-transporting layer to selectively extract photogenerated holes for effective charge collection efficiency.

SUBMITTER: Chen W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7970575 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature