Benign solution-processed (BixSb1−x)2Se3 alloys for short-wavelength infrared mesoporous solar cells

The short wavelength infrared (SWIR) region of the solar spectrum is underutilized, partly due to the limited availability of light absorbers for this region. Here, we report the synthesis of bismuth antimony selenide [(BixSb1−x)2Se3] alloys through a low-cost, low-temperature (310 °C) benign soluti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Materials for optical and electronic devices, 2022-07, Vol.10 (31), p.11220-11231
Main Authors: Kumar, Jitendra, Vana, Omer, Balakrishnan, Subila Kurukkal, Edri, Eran
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorbers
Antimony
Bismuth
Low cost
Low temperature
Nanorods
Nucleation
Photovoltaic cells
Selenides
Solar cells
Zinc oxide
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Summary:The short wavelength infrared (SWIR) region of the solar spectrum is underutilized, partly due to the limited availability of light absorbers for this region. Here, we report the synthesis of bismuth antimony selenide [(BixSb1−x)2Se3] alloys through a low-cost, low-temperature (310 °C) benign solution process. Twenty-three percent of Bi has been successfully incorporated in antimony selenide [Bi/(Bi + Sb) = 0.23], reducing the optical bandgap from 1.22 eV to 1.05 eV. A detailed study on the composition and structure of the (BixSb1−x)2Se3 deposits reveals that increasing the Bi ion content in the ink facilitated nucleation and growth in the solution, resulting in decreasing nanorods' diameter and length. The applicability of the developed method has been demonstrated by incorporating it in an FTO/ZnO/CdS/(BixSb1−x)2Se3/spiro-OMeTAD/Au solar cell structure. Developing benign solution processes for light absorbers in the SWIR region may enable low-cost tandem photovoltaics.
ISSN:2050-7526
2050-7534
DOI:10.1039/d2tc02312a