Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance in AgSbS2 Liquid-Junction Semiconductor-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Ternary semiconductor AgSbS2 nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be a potential absorber material for solar cells. This work reports on the improved photovoltaic performance of liquid-junction AgSbS2 semiconductor-sensitized solar cells, prepared by growth of AgSbS2 nanoparticles on a nanoporous TiO2 electrode using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction process. The dependence of performance on the counter electrode and annealing atmosphere was investigated. The optimal performance was found in solar cells annealed in a N2 atmosphere with Au or Cu2S counter electrode. The best cell yielded a short-circuit current density Jsc of 8.30 mA/cm2, a open-circuit voltage Voc of 0.30 V, a fill factor of 32.8% and an efficiency η of 0.79% under 100 mW/cm2 light illumination. As the light intensity was reduced to 0.148 sun, the η increased to 1.28%, which is ∼ 300% larger than the η of 0.42% reported previously.