A Review on the Fundamental Properties of Sb2Se3-Based Thin Film Solar Cells

There has been a recent surge in interest toward thin film-based solar cells, specifically new absorber materials composed by Earth-abundant and non-toxic elements. Among these materials, antimony selenide Sb2Se3) is a good candidate due to its peculiar properties, such as an appropriate bandgap that promises a theoretical maximum power conversion efficiency of 33% and an absorption coefficient of around 10(5) cm(-1), enabling its use as a thin film absorber layer. However, charge carrier transport has been revealed to be problematic due to its cumbersome structure and the lack of a doping strategy. In this work, we aim to provide a clear picture of the state-of-the-art regarding research on Sb2Se3-based solar cells and its prospects, from the successful achievements to the challenges that are still to be overcome. We also report on the key parameters of antimony selenide with a close focus on the different characteristics associated with films grown from different techniques.

Automated summary

There has been a growing interest in thin film-based solar cells, particularly those made from Earth-abundant and non-toxic materials. Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has shown great potential due to its specific properties, such as an appropriate bandgap and high absorption coefficient. However, the transportation of charge carriers remains challenging due to the material's complex structure and lack of doping strategy.