Recent progress in the research on using CuSbS2 and its derivative CuPbSbS3 as absorbers in case of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract

Thin-film solar cells show considerable application potential as alternative photovoltaic technologies. Cuprous antimony chalcogen materials and their derivatives, represented as CuSbS2 and CuPbSbS3, respectively, exhibit the advantages of low cost, massive elemental abundance, stability, and good photoelectric properties, including a suitable bandgap and large optical absorption coefficient. These advantages demonstrate that they can be used as light absorbers in photovoltaic applications. In this study, we review the major properties, fabrication methods, and recent progress of the performance of the devices containing CuSbS2 and CuPbSbS3. Furthermore, the limitations and future development prospects with respect to the CuSbS2 and CuPbSbS3 solar cells are discussed.