Vapor-transport-deposited Sb2S3 thin-film solar cells: Tailoring photovoltaic properties through deposition temperature

• Published in: Journal of Power Sources Advances 2024-04, Vol.26, p.100143, Article 100143
• Main Authors: Sharma, Indu, Pawar, Pravin S., Yadav, Rahul K., Kim, Yong Tae, Bisht, Neha, Patil, Parag R., Heo, Jaeyeong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Deposition temperature; Power conversion efficiency; Sb2S3; Thin-film solar cells; Vapor transport deposition
• ISSN: 2666-2485; 2666-2485
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powera.2024.100143

Crystal orientation plays a crucial role in the performance of Sb2S3 thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). Among various deposition techniques, vapor transport deposition (VTD) stands out as a viable technique for producing scalable and uniformly deposited thin films, particularly in the solar industry. This study explores temperature-modulated VTD-Sb2S3 deposition to enable efficient carrier transport in photovoltaic cells. In the VTD process, the deposition temperature is altered between 480 °C and 540 °C. XRD, SEM, EDS, and AFM techniques are employed to obtain the characteristics of the Sb2S3 thin films at varying temperatures and evaluate critical features like crystal structure and orientation, surface morphology, composition, and roughness. The prominent crystal orientation changes from the (hk0) to the (hk1) plane after increasing the deposition temperature from 500 to 520 °C. The (211)- and (221)-planes become more prominent when the deposition temperature exceeds 520 °C. The device with the architecture SLG/Mo/Sb2S3/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Al, a substrate-configured TFSC, yields a maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.22% when the VTD-Sb2S3 absorber film is deposited at 520 °C. This study presents a promising approach to producing thin films with a preference for specific crystal orientations. The primary aim is to enhance the efficiency of solar cells that utilize VTD-Sb2S3 absorbers. •Sb2S3 thin films grown using VTD at temperatures ranging from 480 °C to 540 °C.•Crystalline phase changes from [hk0]-plane to [hk1]-plane as temperature increases.•Fabrication of Sb2S3 solar cell devices with a substrate-configured architecture.•Best performance found for VTD-Sb2S3 thin films deposited at 520 °C.