Research Update: Emerging chalcostibite absorbers for thin-film solar cells

de Souza Lucas, Francisco Willian; Zakutayev, Andriy

doi:10.1063/1.5027862

Title: Research Update: Emerging chalcostibite absorbers for thin-film solar cells

Journal Article · Mon Jun 04 00:00:00 UTC 2018 · APL Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5027862 · OSTI ID:1455164

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National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Materials Science Center; Federal Univ. of São Carlos (Brazil). Dept. of Chemistry
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Materials Science Center

Copper antimony chalcogenides CuSbCh₂ (Ch=S, Se) are an emerging family of absorbers studied for thin-film solar cells. These non-toxic and Earth-abundant materials show a layered low-dimensional chalcostibite crystal structure, leading to interesting optoelectronic properties for applications in photovoltaic (PV) devices. This research update describes the CuSbCh₂ crystallographic structures, synthesis methods, competing phases, band structures, optoelectronic properties, point defects, carrier dynamics, and interface band offsets, based on experimental and theoretical data. Correlations between these absorber properties and PV device performance are discussed, and opportunities for further increase in the efficiency of the chalcostibite PV devices are highlighted.

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Research Organization:: Federal Univ. of São Carlos (Brazil); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (Brazil); USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1455164

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5K00-71225

Journal Information:: APL Materials, Journal Name: APL Materials Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 6; ISSN 2166-532X

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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