A review of Sb2Se3 photovoltaic absorber materials and thin-film solar cells. (1st May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mavlonov, Abdurashid; Razykov, Takhir; Raziq, Fazal; Gan, Jiantuo; Chantana, Jakapan; Kawano, Yu; Nishimura, Takahito; Wei, Haoming; Zakutayev, Andriy; Minemoto, Takashi; Zu, Xiaotao; Li, Sean; Qiao, Liang
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 201(2020)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2020-05-01
• Subjects: Sb2Se3 -- Thin-film solar cells -- Photovoltaics -- Open-circuit voltage deficit -- Carrier management; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Abstract: Energy generated from environmentally friendly, cost-effective solar cells is a key aspect for developing a clean renewable-energy economy. Non-toxic and Earth-abundant materials with high absorption coefficient (>10 5 cm −1 ) and optimal bandgap (1–1.5 eV) have received great attention as photovoltaic (PV) absorber layers during the last few decades. Among them, antimony selenide (Sb2 Se3 ) has been a promising PV absorber, with steadily increasing power-conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to other emerging compounds. Very recent studies showed that high-quality ZnO:Al/ZnO/CdS/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 /MoSe2 /Mo devices with PCE of 9.2% can be fabricated using cost-effective novel compounds. Considering these recent advances, this article provides an overview of the material properties of Sb2 Se3 thin films and the recent progress made with Sb2 Se3 -based solar cells. Analysis of Sb2 Se3 -based thin-film solar cells has also shown that the devices have relatively good light management due to their suitable bandgap and high absorption coefficient, whereas carrier management, i.e. collection efficiency of photo-generated carriers, needs significant improvement. Overall, this study provides background knowledge on material properties and device performance and suggests main research directions to overcome the limiting factors of solar cell performance.