Physical Properties of Sn-Doped PbSe Nanostructures as Photovoltaic Application

Abstract

This work presents co-precipitation synthesis of tin (Sn)-doped lead selenide (PbSe) nanostructures and their physical properties as a solar cell application. The primary characterization of the obtained samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns shows the formation of polycrystalline cubic PbSe phase and adding Sn concentration decreased and increased the crystallite size and induced strain, respectively. Morphological studies indicate the formation of flake-like PbSe nanostructures, with Sn atoms decreasing their mean diameter. Optical studies show optical band gap at the proper range for absorbing solar rays as photovoltaic applications. Solar cell devices fabricated from the Sn-doped PbSe nanostructures shows an efficiency (ƞ) of 0.40% for a sample with highest atomic percentage (at%) of Sn. This increasing in efficacy is attributed to various physical features of these structures such as induced strain on the crystalline lattice, a decrease in size, and a shift in the optical energy band gap.