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Quantitative analysis of Ag-doped SnS thin films for solar cell applications

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Abstract

This work reports the changes in the properties of Ag-doped SnS thin films (SnS:Ag), and CdS/SnS solar cells with an Ag dopant concentration in the absorber varied from 0 to 6 wt.% in steps of 3 wt.% prepared by the nebulizer-assisted spray pyrolysis method (NSP). X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirm the SnS:Ag (3 wt.%) thin film has a higher crystallite size than the undoped and SnS:Ag (6 wt.%) thin film. An atomic force microscope (AFM) image shows SnS:Ag (3 wt.%) film possesses larger-sized grains than other samples. The energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) confirms the presence of the constituent elements in the SnS:Ag thin films. PL analysis revealed the films possess the band edge as well as the other defect-related emissions of SnS. The Ag doping facilitates the tunability in absorption and decreases in optical bandgap for the SnS:Ag (3 wt.%) film. Hall measurements provide the low resistivity of 3.31 Ωcm, the high charge carrier concentration of 1.56 × 1017 cm−3, and high mobility of 12.1 cm2 V−1 s−1 for 3 wt.% Ag-doped SnS film. The better photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 0.285% was observed for the device prepared with SnS:Ag (3 wt.%) thin film compared to other samples due to enhanced absorption, optimum bandgap, and better electrical properties.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this work through research groups program under Grant number R.G.P. 2/84/41.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PG and Research Department of Physics, Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, Madurai, 625514, India

    S. Sebastian

  2. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology, Kalitheerthalkuppam, Puducherry, 605107, India

    S. Vinoth

  3. Department of Physics, Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Dundigal, Hyderabad, India

    K. Hari Prasad

  4. Department of Physics, School of Advanced Sciences, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, 626126, India

    M. S. Revathy

  5. Department of Nanotechnology, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kumaracoil, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, 629180, India

    S. Gobalakrishnan & P. K. Praseetha

  6. Advanced Functional Materials and Optoelectronic Laboratory (AFMOL), Department of Physics, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    V. Ganesh & S. AlFaify

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  1. S. Sebastian
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Sebastian, S., Vinoth, S., Prasad, K.H. et al. Quantitative analysis of Ag-doped SnS thin films for solar cell applications. Appl. Phys. A 126, 783 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-03959-8

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