An experimental and theoretical study into NaSbS 2 as an emerging solar absorber

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Materials for optical and electronic devices, 2019-02, Vol.7 (7), p.2059-2067
• Main Authors: Leung, W. W. Winnie, Savory, Christopher N., Palgrave, Robert G., Scanlon, David O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/C8TC06284F

As photovoltaics have grown to become one of the dominant renewable energy generating technologies, attention has fallen upon thin-film materials as a route to lightweight, flexible and portable solar cells. NaSbS 2 has recently been proposed as a non-toxic, earth abundant solar absorber for thin-film cells. In this study, we use a combined theoretical and experimental approach to characterize and assess the electronic and optical properties of NaSbS 2 as an emerging solar absorber. Our results, utilising two theoretical efficiency metrics, demonstrate that NaSbS 2 may be limited for use in single-junction cells by a forbidden band gap and slow absorption onset. Other features of its electronic structure, however, indicate that the material may still be promising in thermoelectric applications.