Partial oxidation of the absorber layer reduces charge carrier recombination in antimony sulfide solar cells.

Title Partial oxidation of the absorber layer reduces charge carrier recombination in antimony sulfide solar cells.
Authors K.C. Gödel; B. Roose; A. Sadhanala; Y. Vaynzof; S.K. Pathak; U. Steiner
Journal Phys Chem Chem Phys
DOI 10.1039/c6cp07559b
Abstract

We investigate the effect of a post heat treatment of the absorber layer in air for antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) sensitized solar cells. Phenomenologically, exposing the Sb2S3 surface of sensitised solar cells to air at elevated temperatures is known to improve device performance. Here, we have investigated the detailed origins of this improvement. To this end, samples were annealed in air for different time periods and the build-up of an antimony oxide layer was monitored by XPS. A very short heat treatment resulted in an increase in power conversion efficiency from ? = 1.4% to ? = 2.4%, while longer annealing decreased the device performance. This improvement was linked to a reduction in charge carrier recombination at the interface of Sb2S3 with the organic hole conductor, arising from the oxide barrier layer, as demonstrated by intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS).

Citation K.C. Gödel; B. Roose; A. Sadhanala; Y. Vaynzof; S.K. Pathak; U. Steiner.Partial oxidation of the absorber layer reduces charge carrier recombination in antimony sulfide solar cells.. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2017;19(2):14251430. doi:10.1039/c6cp07559b

Related Elements

Antimony

See more Antimony products. Antimony (atomic symbol: Sb, atomic number: 51) is a Block P, Group 15, Period 5 element with an atomic radius of 121.760. Antimony Bohr Model The number of electrons in each of antimony's shells is 2, 8, 18, 18, 5 and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3. The antimony atom has a radius of 140 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 206 pm. Antimony was discovered around 3000 BC and first isolated by Vannoccio Biringuccio in 1540 AD. In its elemental form, antimony has a silvery lustrous gray appearance. Elemental Antimony The most common source of antimony is the sulfide mineral known as stibnite (Sb2S3), although it sometimes occurs natively as well. Antimony has numerous applications, most commonly in flame-retardant materials. It also increases the hardness and strength of lead when combined in an alloy and is frequently employed as a dopant in semiconductor materials. Its name is derived from the Greek words anti and monos, meaning a metal not found by itself.

Sulfur

See more Sulfur products. Sulfur (or Sulphur) (atomic symbol: S, atomic number: 16) is a Block P, Group 16, Period 3 element with an atomic radius of 32.066. Sulfur Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Sulfur's shells is 2, 8, 6 and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p4. In its elemental form, sulfur has a light yellow appearance. The sulfur atom has a covalent radius of 105 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 180 pm. In nature, sulfur can be found in hot springs, meteorites, volcanoes, and as galena, gypsum, and epsom salts. Sulfur has been known since ancient times but was not accepted as an element until 1777, when Antoine Lavoisier helped to convince the scientific community that it was an element and not a compound.

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