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Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications
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Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 46640

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Vlad-Andrei Antohe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Măgurele, Romania
2. R&D Center for Materials and Electronic & Optoelectronic Devices (MDEO), Măgurele, Romania
Interests: materials science and nanotechnology; nanostructured materials; low-dimensional systems; electronic and optoelectronic devices; sensors; biosensors; solar cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decade, the development of novel nanomaterials and low-dimensional systems became a subject of intensive research, due to high market needs for innovative applications in virtually all aspects of life. In particular, the field of photovoltaics encountered great scientific progress in the last few years, mainly because solar energy has great potential to cover society needs in the context of the energy crisis the world is facing today. In this case, increasing immensely photo-absorption area or providing rapid and more efficient charge collection pathways are unique effects unveiled at the nanoscale that could be competitively exploited to design solar cell architectures with improved performance and extended functionality, while potentially maintaining small device dimensions and inherently low manufacturing costs.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials is open to contributions focusing on theoretical and experimental studies that report on the innovative processing and characterization of nanostructured materials engineered for photovoltaic applications. Papers reporting progress in the development of solar cells relying on nanostructured building blocks are also highly fostered.

The scope of this Special Issue concerns, but is not limited to, contributions on the following:

  • Solar cells based on organic and inorganic thin films, bulk heterojunctions (including Non-Fullerene-Acceptor based), dye sensitizers and hybrid multi-layered nanostructures;
  • Innovative processing technologies of organic and inorganic nanomaterials, in addition to other new multi-compound and multi-phase nanocomposites;
  • Examination of structural, morphological, optical, electrical and other properties of nanomaterials important for photovoltaic applications;
  • Correlation of nanomaterials’ functional properties with their aspect and morphology, chemical composition, micro- and nanostructure, as well as preparation methods;
  • Theoretical and computational studies aiming to predict various properties of nanomaterials used as functional constitutive elements within photovoltaic devices.

Dr. Vlad-Andrei Antohe
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • 3rd and 4th generation solar cells and photovoltaic devices
  • organic and inorganic nanostructures and nanocomposites
  • innovative manufacturing and processing nanotechnologies
  • structural, morphological, optical and photo-electrical properties
  • investigation of surface effects and interface interactions
  • theoretical modeling of novel nanomaterials for photovoltaics.

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 170 KiB  
Editorial
Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications
by Vlad-Andrei Antohe
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3702; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203702 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
The development of novel nanomaterials became a subject of intensive research, due to high market needs for innovative applications in virtually all aspects of life [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 3473 KiB  
Article
Suppressing the Effect of the Wetting Layer through AlAs Capping in InAs/GaAs QD Structures for Solar Cells Applications
by Nazaret Ruiz, Daniel Fernández, Lazar Stanojević, Teresa Ben, Sara Flores, Verónica Braza, Alejandro Gallego Carro, Esperanza Luna, José María Ulloa and David González
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081368 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2683
Abstract
Recently, thin AlAs capping layers (CLs) on InAs quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) have been shown to yield better photovoltaic efficiency compared to traditional QDSCs. Although it has been proposed that this improvement is due to the suppression of the capture of photogenerated [...] Read more.
Recently, thin AlAs capping layers (CLs) on InAs quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) have been shown to yield better photovoltaic efficiency compared to traditional QDSCs. Although it has been proposed that this improvement is due to the suppression of the capture of photogenerated carriers through the wetting layer (WL) states by a de-wetting process, the mechanisms that operate during this process are not clear. In this work, a structural analysis of the WL characteristics in the AlAs/InAs QD system with different CL-thickness has been made by scanning transmission electron microscopy techniques. First, an exponential decline of the amount of InAs in the WL with the CL thickness increase has been found, far from a complete elimination of the WL. Instead, this reduction is linked to a higher shield effect against QD decomposition. Second, there is no compositional separation between the WL and CL, but rather single layer with a variable content of InAlGaAs. Both effects, the high intermixing and WL reduction cause a drastic change in electronic levels, with the CL making up of 1–2 monolayers being the most effective configuration to reduce the radiative-recombination and minimize the potential barriers for carrier transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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9 pages, 1858 KiB  
Article
Compact SnO2/Mesoporous TiO2 Bilayer Electron Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated at Low Process Temperature
by Junyeong Lee, Jongbok Kim, Chang-Su Kim and Sungjin Jo
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(4), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12040718 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4121
Abstract
Charge transport layers have been found to be crucial for high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). SnO2 has been extensively investigated as an alternative material for the traditional TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL). The challenges facing the successful application of SnO2 [...] Read more.
Charge transport layers have been found to be crucial for high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). SnO2 has been extensively investigated as an alternative material for the traditional TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL). The challenges facing the successful application of SnO2 ETLs are degradation during the high-temperature process and voltage loss due to the lower conduction band. To achieve highly efficient PSCs using a SnO2 ETL, low-temperature-processed mesoporous TiO2 (LT m-TiO2) was combined with compact SnO2 to construct a bilayer ETL. The use of LT m-TiO2 can prevent the degradation of SnO2 as well as enlarge the interfacial contacts between the light-absorbing layer and the ETL. SnO2/TiO2 bilayer-based PSCs showed much higher power conversion efficiency than single SnO2 ETL-based PSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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8 pages, 2220 KiB  
Article
One-Step Solution Deposition of Antimony Selenoiodide Films via Precursor Engineering for Lead-Free Solar Cell Applications
by Yong Chan Choi and Kang-Won Jung
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(12), 3206; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123206 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2672
Abstract
Ternary chalcohalides are promising lead-free photovoltaic materials with excellent optoelectronic properties. We propose a simple one-step solution-phase precursor-engineering method for antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) film fabrication. SbSeI films were fabricated by spin-coating the precursor solution, and heating. Various precursor solutions were synthesized by adjusting [...] Read more.
Ternary chalcohalides are promising lead-free photovoltaic materials with excellent optoelectronic properties. We propose a simple one-step solution-phase precursor-engineering method for antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) film fabrication. SbSeI films were fabricated by spin-coating the precursor solution, and heating. Various precursor solutions were synthesized by adjusting the molar ratio of two solutions based on SbCl3-selenourea and SbI3. The results suggest that both the molar ratio and the heating temperature play key roles in film phase and morphology. Nanostructured SbSeI films with a high crystallinity were obtained at a molar ratio of 1:1.5 and a temperature of 150 °C. The proposed method could be also used to fabricate (Bi,Sb)SeI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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15 pages, 3284 KiB  
Article
Effect of RF Power on the Physical Properties of Sputtered ZnSe Nanostructured Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications
by Ovidiu Toma, Vlad-Andrei Antohe, Ana-Maria Panaitescu, Sorina Iftimie, Ana-Maria Răduţă, Adrian Radu, Lucian Ion and Ştefan Antohe
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112841 - 25 Oct 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3096
Abstract
Zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering in specific conditions, onto optical glass substrates, at different RF plasma power. The prepared ZnSe layers were afterwards subjected to a series of structural, morphological, optical and electrical characterizations. The obtained results [...] Read more.
Zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering in specific conditions, onto optical glass substrates, at different RF plasma power. The prepared ZnSe layers were afterwards subjected to a series of structural, morphological, optical and electrical characterizations. The obtained results pointed out the optimal sputtering conditions to obtain ZnSe films of excellent quality, especially in terms of better optical properties, lower superficial roughness, reduced micro-strain and a band gap value closer to the one reported for the ZnSe bulk semiconducting material. Electrical characterization were afterwards carried out by measuring the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics at room temperature, of prepared “sandwich”-like Au/ZnSe/Au structures. The analysis of I-V characteristics have shown that at low injection levels there is an Ohmic conduction, followed at high injection levels, after a well-defined transition voltage, by a Space Charge Limited Current (SCLC) in the presence of an exponential trap distribution in the band gap of the ZnSe thin films. The results obtained from all the characterization techniques presented, demonstrated thus the potential of ZnSe thin films sputtered under optimized RF plasma conditions, to be used as alternative environmentally-friendly Cd-free window layers within photovoltaic cells manufacturing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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10 pages, 23023 KiB  
Article
Atomic Layer Deposition of Ultrathin ZnO Films for Hybrid Window Layers for Cu(Inx,Ga1−x)Se2 Solar Cells
by Jaebaek Lee, Dong-Hwan Jeon, Dae-Kue Hwang, Kee-Jeong Yang, Jin-Kyu Kang, Shi-Joon Sung, Hyunwoong Park and Dae-Hwan Kim
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 2779; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112779 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2502
Abstract
The efficiency of thin-film chalcogenide solar cells is dependent on their window layer thickness. However, the application of an ultrathin window layer is difficult because of the limited capability of the deposition process. This paper reports the use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) [...] Read more.
The efficiency of thin-film chalcogenide solar cells is dependent on their window layer thickness. However, the application of an ultrathin window layer is difficult because of the limited capability of the deposition process. This paper reports the use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for fabrication of thin window layers for Cu(Inx,Ga1−x)Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, replacing conventional sputtering techniques. We fabricated a viable ultrathin 12 nm window layer on a CdS buffer layer from the uniform conformal coating provided by ALD. CIGS solar cells with an ALD ZnO window layer exhibited superior photovoltaic performances to those of cells with a sputtered intrinsic ZnO (i-ZnO) window layer. The short-circuit current of the former solar cells improved with the reduction in light loss caused by using a thinner ZnO window layer with a wider band gap. Ultrathin uniform A-ZnO window layers also proved more effective than sputtered i-ZnO layers at improving the open-circuit voltage of the CIGS solar cells, because of the additional buffering effect caused by their semiconducting nature. In addition, because of the precise control of the material structure provided by ALD, CIGS solar cells with A-ZnO window layers exhibited a narrow deviation of photovoltaic properties, advantageous for large-scale mass production purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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11 pages, 5567 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Flexible Organic Solar Cell Based on Indium-Zinc-Tin Oxide Transparent Electrode for Power Source of Wearable Devices
by Jun Young Choi, In Pyo Park and Soo Won Heo
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2633; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102633 - 7 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2853
Abstract
We have developed a novel structure of ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics (UFOPVs) for application as a power source for wearable devices with excellent biocompatibility and flexibility. Parylene was applied as an ultra-flexible substrate through chemical vapor deposition. Indium-zinc-tin oxide (IZTO) thin film was used [...] Read more.
We have developed a novel structure of ultra-flexible organic photovoltaics (UFOPVs) for application as a power source for wearable devices with excellent biocompatibility and flexibility. Parylene was applied as an ultra-flexible substrate through chemical vapor deposition. Indium-zinc-tin oxide (IZTO) thin film was used as a transparent electrode. The sputtering target composed of 70 at.% In2O3-15 at.% ZnO-15 at.% SnO2 was used. It was fabricated at room temperature, using pulsed DC magnetron sputtering, with an amorphous structure. UFOPVs, in which a 1D grating pattern was introduced into the hole-transport and photoactive layers were fabricated, showed a 13.6% improvement (maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE): 8.35%) compared to the reference device, thereby minimizing reliance on the incident angle of the light. In addition, after 1000 compression/relaxation tests with a compression strain of 33%, the PCE of the UFOPVs maintained a maximum of 93.3% of their initial value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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12 pages, 3135 KiB  
Communication
Efficient Nanocrystal Photovoltaics via Blade Coating Active Layer
by Kening Xiao, Qichuan Huang, Jia Luo, Huansong Tang, Ao Xu, Pu Wang, Hao Ren, Donghuan Qin, Wei Xu and Dan Wang
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061522 - 9 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2699
Abstract
CdTe semiconductor nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have attracted much attention in recent year due to their low-cost solution fabrication process. However, there are still few reports about the fabrication of large area NC solar cells under ambient conditions. Aiming to push CdTe NC [...] Read more.
CdTe semiconductor nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have attracted much attention in recent year due to their low-cost solution fabrication process. However, there are still few reports about the fabrication of large area NC solar cells under ambient conditions. Aiming to push CdTe NC solar cells one step forward to the industry, this study used a novel blade coating technique to fabricate CdTe NC solar cells with different areas (0.16, 0.3, 0.5 cm2) under ambient conditions. By optimizing the deposition parameters of the CdTe NC’s active layer, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NC solar cells showed a large improvement. Compared to the conventional spin-coated device, a lower post-treatment temperature is required by blade coated NC solar cells. Under the optimal deposition conditions, the NC solar cells with 0.16, 0.3, and 0.5 cm2 areas exhibited PCEs of 3.58, 2.82, and 1.93%, respectively. More importantly, the NC solar cells fabricated via the blading technique showed high stability where almost no efficiency degradation appeared after keeping the devices under ambient conditions for over 18 days. This is promising for low-cost, roll-by-roll, and large area industrial fabrication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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14 pages, 4770 KiB  
Article
Tantalum-Doped TiO2 Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition and Its Application in Perovskite Solar Cells
by Chia-Hsun Hsu, Ka-Te Chen, Ling-Yan Lin, Wan-Yu Wu, Lu-Sheng Liang, Peng Gao, Yu Qiu, Xiao-Ying Zhang, Pao-Hsun Huang, Shui-Yang Lien and Wen-Zhang Zhu
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061504 - 7 Jun 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4172
Abstract
Tantalum (Ta)-doped titanium oxide (TiO2) thin films are grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and used as both an electron transport layer and hole blocking compact layer of perovskite solar cells. The metal precursors of tantalum ethoxide and titanium [...] Read more.
Tantalum (Ta)-doped titanium oxide (TiO2) thin films are grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and used as both an electron transport layer and hole blocking compact layer of perovskite solar cells. The metal precursors of tantalum ethoxide and titanium isopropoxide are simultaneously injected into the deposition chamber. The Ta content is controlled by the temperature of the metal precursors. The experimental results show that the Ta incorporation introduces oxygen vacancies defects, accompanied by the reduced crystallinity and optical band gap. The PEALD Ta-doped films show a resistivity three orders of magnitude lower than undoped TiO2, even at a low Ta content (0.8–0.95 at.%). The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy spectra reveal that Ta incorporation leads to a down shift of valance band and conduction positions, and this is helpful for the applications involving band alignment engineering. Finally, the perovskite solar cell with Ta-doped TiO2 electron transport layer demonstrates significantly improved fill factor and conversion efficiency as compared to that with the undoped TiO2 layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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12 pages, 4868 KiB  
Article
Studies on the Physical Properties of TiO2:Nb/Ag/TiO2:Nb and NiO/Ag/NiO Three-Layer Structures on Glass and Plastic Substrates as Transparent Conductive Electrodes for Solar Cells
by Laura Hrostea, Petru Lisnic, Romain Mallet, Liviu Leontie and Mihaela Girtan
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061416 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3819
Abstract
In this paper, the physical properties of a new series of multilayer structures of oxide/metal/oxide type deposited on glass and plastic substrates were studied in the context of their use as transparent conductive layers for solar cells. The optical properties of TiO2 [...] Read more.
In this paper, the physical properties of a new series of multilayer structures of oxide/metal/oxide type deposited on glass and plastic substrates were studied in the context of their use as transparent conductive layers for solar cells. The optical properties of TiO2/Ag/TiO2, TiO2:Nb/Ag/TiO2:Nb and NiO/Ag/NiO tri-layers were investigated by spectrophotometry and ellipsometry. Optimized ellipsometric modeling was employed in order to correlate the optical and electrical properties with the ones obtained by direct measurements. The wetting surface properties of single layers (TiO2, TiO2:Nb and NiO) and tri-layers (TiO2/Ag/TiO2 TiO2:Nb/Ag/TiO2:Nb and NiO/Ag/NiO) were also studied and good correlations were obtained with their morphological properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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21 pages, 13316 KiB  
Article
Mass Transfer Study on Improved Chemistry for Electrodeposition of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) Compound for Photovoltaics Applications
by Mahfouz Saeed and Omar Israel González Peña
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051222 - 6 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3673
Abstract
Copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) films are attractive for photovoltaic applications due to their high optical absorption coefficient. The generation of CIGS films by electrodeposition is particularly appealing due to the relatively low capital cost and high throughput. Numerous publications address the electrodeposition [...] Read more.
Copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) films are attractive for photovoltaic applications due to their high optical absorption coefficient. The generation of CIGS films by electrodeposition is particularly appealing due to the relatively low capital cost and high throughput. Numerous publications address the electrodeposition of CIGS; however, very few recognize the critical significance of transport in affecting the composition and properties of the compound. This study introduces a new electrolyte composition, which is far more dilute than systems that had been previously described, which yields much improved CIGS films. The electrodeposition experiments were carried out on a rotating disk electrode, which provides quantitative control of the transport rates. Experiments with the conventional electrolyte, ten times more concentrated than the new electrolyte proposed here, yielded powdery and non-adherent deposit. By contrast, the new, low concentration electrolyte produced in the preferred potential interval of −0.64 ≤ E ≤ −0.76 V vs. NHE, a smooth and adherent uniform deposit with the desired composition across a broad range of rotation speeds. The effects of mass transport on the deposit are discussed. Sample polarization curves at different electrode rotation rates, obtained in deposition experiments from the high and the low concentration electrolytes, are critically compared. Characterization of the overall efficiency, quantum efficiency, open circuit voltage, short circuit current, dark current, band gap, and the fill factor are reported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

54 pages, 64551 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Hole-Transporting Layers for Organic Solar Cells
by Cinthya Anrango-Camacho, Karla Pavón-Ipiales, Bernardo A. Frontana-Uribe and Alex Palma-Cando
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030443 - 28 Jan 2022
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 7444
Abstract
Global energy demand is increasing; thus, emerging renewable energy sources, such as organic solar cells (OSCs), are fundamental to mitigate the negative effects of fuel consumption. Within OSC’s advancements, the development of efficient and stable interface materials is essential to achieve high performance, [...] Read more.
Global energy demand is increasing; thus, emerging renewable energy sources, such as organic solar cells (OSCs), are fundamental to mitigate the negative effects of fuel consumption. Within OSC’s advancements, the development of efficient and stable interface materials is essential to achieve high performance, long-term stability, low costs, and broader applicability. Inorganic and nanocarbon-based materials show a suitable work function, tunable optical/electronic properties, stability to the presence of moisture, and facile solution processing, while organic conducting polymers and small molecules have some advantages such as fast and low-cost production, solution process, low energy payback time, light weight, and less adverse environmental impact, making them attractive as hole transporting layers (HTLs) for OSCs. This review looked at the recent progress in metal oxides, metal sulfides, nanocarbon materials, conducting polymers, and small organic molecules as HTLs in OSCs over the past five years. The endeavors in research and technology have optimized the preparation and deposition methods of HTLs. Strategies of doping, composite/hybrid formation, and modifications have also tuned the optical/electrical properties of these materials as HTLs to obtain efficient and stable OSCs. We highlighted the impact of structure, composition, and processing conditions of inorganic and organic materials as HTLs in conventional and inverted OSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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48 pages, 5911 KiB  
Review
Fundamental Aspects and Comprehensive Review on Physical Properties of Chemically Grown Tin-Based Binary Sulfides
by Sreedevi Gedi, Vasudeva Reddy Minnam Reddy, Tulasi Ramakrishna Reddy Kotte, Chinho Park and Woo Kyoung Kim
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1955; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081955 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3406
Abstract
The rapid research progress in tin-based binary sulfides (SnxSy = o-SnS, c-SnS, SnS2, and Sn2S3) by the solution process has opened a new path not only for photovoltaics to generate clean energy at ultra-low [...] Read more.
The rapid research progress in tin-based binary sulfides (SnxSy = o-SnS, c-SnS, SnS2, and Sn2S3) by the solution process has opened a new path not only for photovoltaics to generate clean energy at ultra-low costs but also for photocatalytic and thermoelectric applications. Fascinated by their prosperous developments, a fundamental understanding of the SnxSy thin film growth with respect to the deposition parameters is necessary to enhance the film quality and device performance. Therefore, the present review article initially delivers all-inclusive information such as structural characteristics, optical characteristics, and electrical characteristics of SnxSy. Next, an overview of the chemical bath deposition of SnxSy thin films and the influence of each deposition parameter on the growth and physical properties of SnxSy are interestingly outlined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic Applications)
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