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Comparison of I–V Characteristics of the Fabricated SnS/Si and SnS:Ag/Si Heterojunction Solar Cell Under Dark and Illumination

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Abstract

SnS and SnS-Ag nanocomposite were synthesized by a cost-effective solvothermal technique. Structural properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Elemental composition was confirmed by electron diffraction x-ray analysis (EDAX). The optical properties were characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra (PL) and time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC). XRD results suggest that the samples are in an orthorhombic structural phase. TEM results indicate that quantum dot-like particles (5 nm to 8 nm) are observed in both SnS and SnS-Ag nanostructures. The crystalline nature of the samples was confirmed by selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). EDAX analysis confirmed that Ag is present in SnS-Ag nanocomposite. From optical absorption study, it is clear that SnS-Ag nanocomposite is a better absorber in sunlight than SnS nanocrystal. A decrease in the band gap of SnS-Ag nanocomposite was observed compared to SnS. The PL study indicates that a peak shift of SnS-Ag nanocomposite was observed towards the higher wavelength side. Our aim is to grow cost-effective heterojunction solar cells with good efficiency. J–V characteristics of the fabricated SnS/Si and SnS:Ag/Si heterojunction solar cells have been studied under dark as well as under illumination. Open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), fill factor (FF) as well as efficiency (η) were determined.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the University Grant Commission (UGC) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) for their constant financial support and for providing various instrumental facilities to the Department of Physics of Vidyasagar University. The authors are also grateful to the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) of Vidyasagar University.

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  1. Department of Physics, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur, 721102, India

    Chandan Rana, Swades Ranjan Bera & Satyajit Saha

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  1. Chandan Rana
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  2. Swades Ranjan Bera
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Rana, C., Bera, S.R. & Saha, S. Comparison of I–V Characteristics of the Fabricated SnS/Si and SnS:Ag/Si Heterojunction Solar Cell Under Dark and Illumination. J. Electron. Mater. 50, 1177–1188 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-020-08621-w

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