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Improved performances in Sb2Se3 solar cells based on CdS buffered TiO2 electron transport layer

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Abstract

The strong Ti-O bonds in TiO2 and poor compatibility with Sb2Se3 result in poor performance when used as electron transport layers (ETL) for Sb2Se3 solar cells. Therefore, cadmium sulfide is usually used as a buffer layer to improve its compatibility. In the present work, we deposited a layer of CdS by spin coating method on TiO2 ETL and fabricated TiO2/CdS dual ETL. The CdS layer improved the electronic properties of TiO2 and grain orientation of Sb2Se3 thin films. As a result, the average short circuit current and fill factor of Sb2Se3 solar cells were improved, and the final champion power conversion efficiency was enhanced from 2.6% to 4.71%. This study supplied a route for the application of titanium dioxide as a broad band gap electron transfer material for Sb2Se3 solar cells.

Graphical Abstract

In this work, we deposited a 120 nm CdS layer on TiO2 ETL. The CdS layer improved the electronic properties of TiO2 and optimized the grain orientation of Sb2Se3 thin films. The Jsc and Voc of Sb2Se3 solar cells were also improved, and the ultimate champion power conversion efficiency was enhanced from 2.60 to 4.71%. Our work provides an effective method to improve the photovoltaic performance of Sb2Se3 solar cells.

Highlights

  • We adopt a facile spin-coating method to fabricated CdS buffer layer on TiO2 electron transport layer.

  • The CdS buffer layer altered the orientation of Sb2Se3 film and enhanced its performance.

  • The champion PCE of Sb2Se3 solar cells was enhanced to 4.71% from 2.60% by inserting the CdS buffer layer.

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Acknowledgements

The Project is supported by the Program for Innovative Teams of Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Researchers in the Higher Education Institutions of Hubei Province (Grant No. T2021010) and HBNU Internationalization Programs (Grant No. HBNUIP-20220103L).

Author contributions

SS wrote the main manuscript text. SZ prepared Figure 1. YH performed the XRD measurement. HT performed the EIS test. XL performed the XPS measurement. JW performed the SEM measurement. YS supplied the experimental scheme. HL prepared the other Figures and supervised the whole work and revised the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, 435002, PR China

    Shuo Sun, Siyu Zhang, Yuanyuan Han, Haidong Tan, Jian Wen, Xingyun Liu & Hongri Liu

  2. College of Computer and Information Engineering, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, 435002, PR China

    Yuxia Sun

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  1. Shuo Sun
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  2. Siyu Zhang
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Sun, S., Zhang, S., Han, Y. et al. Improved performances in Sb2Se3 solar cells based on CdS buffered TiO2 electron transport layer. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 109, 182–191 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06252-1

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