Fabrication of a hole transporting Cu2AgIn(S0.5Se0.5)4 nanoparticles deposited carbon counter electrode for perovskite solar cell

In the present study, a quaternary Cu-based chalcopyrite semiconductor, Cu2AgIn(S0.5Se0.5)(4) (CAISSe) nano-particles (NPs) was synthesized by a hot injection method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy studies were carried out to finding the formation of tetragonal crystal structure of synthesized CAISSe NPs. HR-TEM analysis revealed the spherical morphology of the synthesized CAISSe NPs. The charge separation and carrier dynamics of the perovskite with CAISSe NPs deposited on pearl carbon were analyzed by photo-luminescence (PL) studies. The intensity of PL spectrum was reduced for CAISSe NPs deposited on pearl carbon than the pristine pearl carbon. By adding sulfur with selenium influences, the device performance was further discussed. A comprehensive analysis of impedance spectroscopy was subsequently carried out to understand the charge transferring nature of perovskite/CAISSe@C CE interface. The higher PCE (eta = 4.64%) is obtained for CAISSe NPs deposited pearl carbon CE based PSC than that of pristine pearl carbon CE based PSC (eta = 2.69%).

Automated summary

In this study, quaternary Cu-based chalcopyrite semiconductor nano-particles were synthesized and characterized. The results showed that the synthesized nano-particles had good morphology and crystalline structure. Additionally, the application of these nano-particles in perovskite electronic materials was found to improve device performance, as confirmed by spectroscopic and impedance analysis.