Solution-Processed Compact Sb2S3 Thin Films by a Facile One-Step Deposition Method for Efficient Solar Cells

Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) is a promising photon-harvesting material for solar cells. Herein, a facile one-step deposition method is reported for controllably preparing Sb2S3 nanoparticle films with a preferential [221]-orientation to a certain extent from a novel precursor solution, formed by dissolving antimony acetate and thiourea in acidified N,N-dimethylformamide. With titania (TiO2) nanoparticle films as substrates for in situ-growing Sb2S3 films, the high-quality Sb2S3/TiO2 planar heterojunction films are obtained for efficient solar cells. The effects of the concentration and [S]/[Sb] molar ratio in the precursor solution on the Sb2S3 film formation and the device performance are investigated. A considerable power conversion efficiency of 5.74% is achieved under AM 1.5G illumination (100 mW cm(-2)), which is the highest efficiency for the solar cells based on solution-processed Sb2S3 nanoparticle films by one-step deposition method without further modification. A promising solution-processing method is provided to prepare high-quality Sb2S3 films for efficient solar cells and other optoelectronics.

Automated summary

A facile one-step deposition method is reported for preparing Sb2S3 nanoparticle films with preferential orientation for efficient solar cells. The effects of precursor solution concentration and [S]/[Sb] molar ratio on film formation and device performance were investigated to achieve a considerable power conversion efficiency of 5.74% under AM 1.5G illumination. This solution-processing method provides a promising approach for preparing high-quality Sb2S3 films for efficient solar cells and other optoelectronics.