Tin Sulfide Research Articles

Process of solvothermal CZTS nanomaterial for application of solar cell

Sustainable technological development is always associated with usage of energy. Development is directly proportional to utilization of energy. Therefore, energy crisis is one of the crucial issue encounters to mankind during their growth and development of technology. Recent years, researchers comprising many materials like Copper Indium Selenide, Copper Indium Sulfide, Copper Indium Gallium Selenide, Cadmium Telluride and many more. But these all materials are accompanying high cost, lack of abundant sources and toxicity. Hence, thinking about low cost featuring and nontoxicity to overcome energy crisis, Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) is considered as one of the best alternatives in semiconductor solar cell. There are various methods to synthesized CZTS materials, which requires high-cost set ups and equipment. In this paper we have used low-cost synthesis process. CZTS nanomaterials were synthesized in non-aqueous solution with the help of solvothermal method. Synthesis of CZTS nanomaterial was carried out by using Teflon Lined Autoclave in furnace. Further thin films of CZTS material. Further, films were characterized scientifically with the help of UV–VIS spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and potentiometer. CZTS material further annealed at 400 °C for 10 min with which we have observed annealing effect on it. Due to annealing, properties like crystallinity, absorptions and morphology were improved which may be benefitted for progress of efficiency solar cells.

Artificial neural network assisted numerical analysis on performance enhancement of Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cell with SnS as HTL

This paper presents the design and investigation of a highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) device comprising antimony sulfide-selenide (Sb2(S,Se)3) absorber utilizing the SCAPS-1D simulator. Initially, the validity of this simulation process is justified by reproducing the experimental structure, and a comparison is made between the experimental and simulation outcomes. Then we have inserted tin sulfide (SnS) as a hole transport layer (HTL) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) as a buffer at the back and front parts of the suggested new heterojunction structure. In addition, to explore the role of intrinsic parameters on performances of the designed device, an artificial neural network-based machine learning (ML) algorithm is applied. It is revealed that the proposed SnS HTL and ZnS buffer form better band alignment with the promising Sb2(S,Se)3 absorber than others. Thus, the efficiency improves by diminishing recombination loss in the proposed Sb2(S,Se)3 solar device. The PV parameters are also thoroughly assessed by varying crucial factors including absorber thickness, acceptor concentration, defects in absorber, defects at SnS/Sb2(S,Se)3 and Sb2(S,Se)3/ZnS interfaces, temperature, work function, and cell resistances. To achieve the best performances, the thicknesses of HTL, absorber, and buffer are optimized to be 0.1 μm, 1.0 μm, and 0.05 μm, respectively. The simulation predicts an efficiency of 28.20 % accompanied by open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.94 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 34.65 mA/cm2, and fill-factor (FF) of 86.22 %. Implementation of ML algorithms uncovers that the predicted performance for both training and testing data is correlated with the actual PCE generated by the SCAPS-1D. The optimized physical parameters derived in this simulation will be very useful for researchers to establish an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and highly efficient Sb2(S,Se)3-based thin-film PV devices.

Hydrothermal synthesis of tin sulfide nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Hydrothermal synthesis of tin sulfide nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

An Efficient p-n Heterojunction Copper Tin Sulfide/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite for Methyl Orange Photodegradation.

The discharge of toxic dye effluents from industry is a major concern for environmental pollution and toxicity. These toxic dyes can be efficiently removed from waste streams using a photocatalysis process involving visible light. Due to its simple synthesis procedure, inexpensive precursor, and robust stability, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, or CN) has been used as a visible light responsive catalyst for the degradation of dyes with mediocre performance because it is limited by its low visible light harvesting capability due to its wide bandgap and fast carrier recombination rate. To overcome these limitations and enhance the performance of g-C3N4, it was coupled with a narrow bandgap copper tin sulfide (CTS) semiconductor to form a p-n heterojunction. CTS and g-C3N4 were selected due to their good stability, low toxicity, ease of synthesis, layered sheet/plate-like morphology, and relatively abundant precursors. Accordingly, a series of copper tin sulfide/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites (CTS/g-C3N4) with varying CTS contents were successfully synthesized via a simple two-step process involving thermal pyrolysis and coprecipitation for visible-light-induced photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye. The photocatalytic activity results showed that the 50%(wt/wt) CTS/g-C3N4 composite displayed a remarkable degradation efficiency of 95.6% for MO dye under visible light illumination for 120 min, which is higher than that of either pristine CTS or g-C3N4. The improved performance is attributed to the extended light absorption range (due to the optimized bandgap), effective suppression of photoinduced electron-hole recombination, and improved charge transfer that arose from the formation of a p-n heterojunction, as evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photocurrent, and photoluminescence results. Moreover, the results of the reusability study showed that the composite has excellent stability, indicating its potential for the degradation of MO and other toxic organic dyes from waste streams.

An Investigation on Structural, Morphological, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) Thin Films Prepared by SILAR Method

An Investigation on Structural, Morphological, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) Thin Films Prepared by SILAR Method

Enhanced catalytic performance of M-doped SnS2 (M: Ni, Cu, Fe, and Co) and graphene nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

In this study, the electrocatalytic behavior of tin sulfide doped with various metallic elements (copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron) for the oxygen reduction reaction was investigated. Our findings reveal cobalt as the most effective dopant in enhancing ORR efficiency. The graphene nanosheets were introduced to form a G/Co-SnS2 nanocomposite, which significantly improved ORR performance, surpassing Pt/C in current density. Our findings underscore the positive impact of chemical doping and the synergistic effect of SnS2 with graphene nanosheets, improving the onset potential and facilitating the ORR. Through comprehensive characterization including XRD, XPS, FESEM, and BET analysis, the structural and surface properties of the materials were evaluated. Employing the Rotating Disk Electrode technique, we observed that G/Co-SnS2 exhibited a superior onset potential of 0.88 V vs. RHE and high current density of 6.12 mA cm−2, indicating enhanced ORR facilitation. Furthermore, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy revealed lower resistance in the G/Co-SnS2 nanocomposite compared to other samples, highlighting its enhanced durability. Additionally, G/Co-SnS2 nanocomposite demonstrated significantly enhanced durability in comparison to the costly Pt/C catalyst, further underscoring its potential as a robust alternative for catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction. These comprehensive characterizations provide insights into the enhanced electrocatalytic performance observed. Overall, this study highlights the promising potential of Co-doped SnS2 in combination with graphene nanosheets for efficient oxygen reduction reactions, opening avenues for advanced electrocatalytic materials in energy applications.

An innovative method for effective rubidium recovery from wastewater using tungsten-doped microsphere magnetic tin sulfide

We synthesized a novel tungsten-doping metal sulfide, K1.46W0.02Sn2.95S6.69 (KWTS), for the efficient recovery of rubidium ions (Rb+) from wastewater. KWTS showed a high adsorption capacity of 184.68 mg/g and a fast adsorption rate of 10 seconds for Rb+. It also had a high selectivity for Rb+ over other alkali metal ions and a wide pH range of applicability. By magnetizing and crosslinking KWTS with sodium alginate crosslinking, we obtained micron-sized spherical particulates of Fe3O4@KWTS, which retained the excellent adsorption performance of KWTS and facilitated the separation of the adsorbent from aqueous phase. Fe3O4@KWTS also exhibited extraordinary stability after repeated cycles. This work provides a new avenue for ultrafast Rb+ resource recovery from wastewater.

Arc-Discharge In Situ Synthesis of Dual-Carbonaceous-Layer-Coated SnS Nanoparticles with High Lithium-Ion Storage Capacity.

SnS-based carbon composites have garnered considerable concentration as prospective anode materials (AMs) for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Nevertheless, most SnS-based carbon composites underwent a two-phase or multistep preparation process and exhibited unsatisfactory LIB performance. In this investigation, we introduce a straightforward and efficient one-step arc-discharge technique for the production of dual-layer carbon-coated tin sulfide nanoparticles (SnS@C). The as-prepared composite is used as an AM for LIBs and delivers a high capacity of 1000.4 mAh g-1 at 1.0 A g-1 after 520 cycles. The SnS@C still maintains a capacity of 476 mAh g-1 after 390 cycles despite a higher current of 5.0 A g-1. The high specific capacity and long life are mainly attributed to a unique dual-carbon layers coating structure. The dual-carbon layers not only could effectively improve electrical conductivity and reduce charge-transfer resistance but also limit the alteration in bulk and self-aggregation of SnS nanoparticles. The SnS@C produced by the arc-discharge technique emerges as a promising applicant for AM in LIBs, and the arc-discharge technique provides an alternative way for synthesizing other transition metal sulfides supported on carbonaceous materials.

Impact of post deposition treatment on optoelectrical and microstructural properties of tin sulfide thin film for photovoltaic applications

Tin sulfide (SnS) has attracted significant interest due to its advantageous optoelectrical characteristics and abundant presence in nature. Post-deposition treatments (PDTs) are frequently employed to enhance the crystallinity of chalcogenide-based solar cells. This study examined the influence of the post-deposition heat treatment procedure on thermally evaporated SnS thin film. The post-deposition annealing process, as determined by XRD and AFM studies, supplies the necessary thermal energy for re-crystallization, potentially resulting in a modification of crystallite dimensions. The occurrence of Sn-S polytypes was examined using Raman and XPS studies. Annealing causes changes in the optical properties, as observed through optical analysis, which can be attributed to the improvement in crystallinity. Subjecting the material to annealing at temperature of 300 °C greatly improves both mobility and conductivity, while also causing a change in conduction type. The observed variations in conduction type are attributed to the differing ratios between the amounts of Sn2+ and Sn4+. This strategy offers a novel route for the fabrication of thin-film photovoltaic cells by using a p-type buffer layer.

Enhancing efficiency of Sb2Se3 solar cell through optimized optical and electrical properties with Bi-layer absorber

In this study, an innovative solar cell utilizing antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) as a base material and incorporating a dual absorber layer is comprehensively examined using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D) tool. The aim is to assess the performance of the solar cell with different absorber layers in combination with Sb2Se3. Results demonstrate that the solar cell employing an organic CH3NH3SnI3 absorber layer alongside Sb2Se3 achieves superior efficiency compared to one with an inorganic CZTS absorber layer. The two absorber layers investigated are the inorganic Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) and the organic methylammonium tin iodide (CH3NH3SnI3 The dual absorber layer configuration proves advantageous by enhancing light absorption. The solar cell architecture comprises ZnO/i-ZnO/Sb2Se3/CZTS or CH3NH3SnI3/NiO layers, resulting in an improved efficiency of up to 36.70%. Throughout the analysis, parameters such as concentration, band gap, thickness, and temperature are systematically adjusted to evaluate the behavior of this unique solar cell structure. The findings from the study indicate a noticeable enhancement in the performance of Sb2Se3 solar cells when employing the bilayer absorber structure comprising Sb2Se3 and CH3NH3SnI3.

Comparative simulation analysis of μc Si:H and SnS BSF layers in CIGS solar cells

In this paper, we presented Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 (CIGS) based solar cells in which hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc Si:H) and tin sulfide (SnS) are used as back surface field (BSF) layers. In CIGS thin film solar cell technology, thickness serves a crucial factor. Optimizing absorber thickness reduces the usage of scarce and expensive materials such as indium (In) and gallium (Ga) in CIGS cells. Integrating a heavily doped layer between the absorber and the back surface, known as the back surface field (BSF) layer, in solar cell design is a successful strategy for minimizing the thickness of the absorber layer. The suggested configuration utilizes μc-Si:H and SnS as the back surface field (BSF) layer. The buffer layer in this configuration employs less harmful InP instead of the typically utilized CdS layer. All the simulation work is performed using SCAP-1D simulation tool. The utilization of μc Si:H and SnS BSF layers yields optimized efficiencies of 31.51% and 31.01%, respectively. This simulation work demonstrates that use of a proper BSF layer is very effective not only in performance enhancement but also in reducing absorber material thickness.

Synthesis and characterization of copper tin sulfide counter electrode for enhanced performance in third-generation solar cells

This paper presents the fabrication of a copper tin sulfide (CTS) counter electrode for application in third-generation solar cells. The fabrication process involved modified chemical bath deposition (M-CBD) or a successive ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR). Initially, a ZnO seed layer was deposited onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate via CBD. Subsequently, a mesoporous layer of ZnO was deposited onto the FTO substrate using the doctor-blade method. The mesoporous ZnO layer was sensitized with CdS nanocrystals deposited using the SILAR method. Various characterization techniques, including UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were employed to analyze the optical, structural, and morphological properties of the photoanode and CTS counter electrode. The results demonstrate the successful synthesis of a CTS counter electrode with desirable properties for solar-cell applications. The fabricated CTS counter electrode exhibited a conversion efficiency of 0.49%, which was significantly higher than that of carbon-based counter electrodes.

Exploring the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity of tin sulfide decorated manganese iron oxide in alkaline and urea contaminated water

Efficient, affordable, and stable electrocatalysts are pivotal for large-scale water splitting. Herein, we report an optimized decoration of tin sulfide (SnS) bundles on porous manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) on nickel foam for enhancing the overall water splitting. This decoration yielded an interfacial Sn-O bond between MnFe2O4 and SnS, stabilized the structure, and provided optimistic adsorption energies for oxygen and hydrogen. The decorated electrode exhibited overpotentials of 383 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and 127 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at 20 mA.cm−2. Moreover, the decorated sample demonstrated reduced overpotentials of 272 mV and 75 mV (at 20 mA cm−2) for OER and HER in urea-contaminated water. The augmented double layer capacitance (Cdl) electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the decorated sample corroborated the enhanced performances and effectiveness of the SnS decoration. Furthermore, SnS-decorated MnFe2O4 showed outstanding performance in a two-cell configuration with a cell voltage of 1.69 V and 1.52 V (@10 mA cm−2) under alkaline KOH and urea (0.33 M) electrolyte, respectively. Further, the chronoamperometry and post-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies demonstrated the stability and promising potential of this electrode for future non-noble metal-based bifunctional catalytic applications.

Tailoring tin sulfide electrocatalyst with petroleum coke derived reduced graphene oxide for overall water splitting

Metal chalcogenides like Tin sulfide (SnS2) presents as viable alternative electrocatalysts for alkaline water splitting (AWS) due to their huge abundance, stability, and environment friendly nature. However, insufficient exposed active sites and poor conductivity severely impede its large-scale applications. In this work, an in-situ hybridization of hexagonal SnS2 with intercalation of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (TS-rGOx) overcomes the problem of SnS2 stacking. It further enhances the interlayer spacing thereby boosting the number of active sites. The resulting TS-rGOx exhibited excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activities demanding low overpotential of 313 mV and 196.2 mV at 20 mA/cm2 with long term durability upto 60 h, which can be attributed to enhanced interlayer spacing of SnS2, abundant active sites and higher conductivity resulting from the in-situ hybridization and intercalation of rGO nanosheets. This work opens a prospect towards the design and application of efficient SnS2 based heterostructuredelectrocatalystfor AWS.

Enhanced and Balanced Carrier Mobility Via n‐Type SnS Dopant Enables High‐Performance Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells

AbstractThe unbalanced electron‐hole mobility is the major bottleneck for boosting the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. In this study, 2D n‐type inorganic semiconductor material tin sulfide (SnS) is prepared and introduced into the PM6:Y6 bulk heterojunction organic solar cells to improve photovoltaic performance. The incorporation of SnS promotes Y6 crystallization, and renders the face‐on orientation of Y6 molecules dominant. The improved active layer morphology suppresses carrier recombination and strengthens the electron transport. The electron mobility increases significantly from 4.71 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 to 7.61 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 with the hole/electron mobilities (µh/µe) value reducing from 1.67 to 1.11. With enhanced and balanced carrier mobility, the open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current density and fill factor of the SnS‐doped PM6:Y6 organic solar cells are improved simultaneously, and the power conversion efficiency is boosted from 16.66 to 18.50%. Additionally, the SnS doped devices exhibit better thermal and storage stability. The improved photovoltaic performance is further verified in PM6:L8‐BO and D18:Y6 based organic solar cells. This work demonstrates that n‐type SnS dopant is an efficient and universal method to improve photovoltaic performance of non‐fullerene organic solar cells.

Influence of Cu doping on the functionality of spray coated SnS2 thin films and its photocatalytic degradation of dyes and antibacterial activity

Tin sulfide (SnS2) is a material known for its effective photocatalytic activity due to its affordability and wide light spectrum response. To enhance and optimize its optical and chemical characteristics, doping is a straightforward approach that can improve its photocatalytic efficiency. This work focuses on the effect of Cu doping on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of the thin films prepared by the spray-coating approach. XRD confirms the hexagonal SnS2 structure. As the amount of Cu added increases, the crystallite size decreases while dislocation density rises. The XPS findings show that a low concentration of copper (2%) within the SnS2 thin films exhibits both high solubility and exclusively a monovalent state, in contrast to the 4% concentration. The effective band gap is in the range of 1.9–2.2 eV. SEM image reveals a variety of morphologies, and the porosity is reduced with increasing Cu doping. Furthermore, the FTIR study confirms the Sn-S bond present at 753 cm−1. EPR studies reveal the existence of sulfur vacancies in Cu-doped SnS2. Mechanical properties were also affected, with an observed decrease in microhardness as the dopant concentration increased. The photocatalytic activity of the samples is studied by photocatalytic degradation of malachite green and Congo red dyes under visible light irradiation. Additionally, their antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli was examined. This study shows that an optimal amount of Cu doping can significantly increase the photocatalytic performance of SnS2 for efficiently decomposing organic pollutants and enhancing antibacterial activities.

Electronic and Thermal Transport Properties of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials Sintered from Chemically Synthesized Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles and Effects of Ag and Se Doping

Electronic and Thermal Transport Properties of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials Sintered from Chemically Synthesized Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles and Effects of Ag and Se Doping

Facile hydrothermal synthesis of a multifunctional copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) nanoparticle-coated sepiolite fiber composite: structural characterization and photocatalytic properties

This work presents a facile hydrothermal synthesis method for fabricating a multifunctional composite of copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) nanoparticles coated onto sepiolite fibers. Morphological analysis confirms the firm attachment of approximately 10 nm CZTS nanoparticles onto the sepiolite surface. Elemental analysis verifies the presence of constituent elements from both CZTS and sepiolite, with a slight deficiency in Cu and an abundance of Zn observed. The compositional formula of CZTS in the composite is estimated as Cu1.93Zn1.05Sn0.98S4.04. Notably, the material exhibits a narrow band gap of 1.5 eV, enabling effective utilization of the entire visible light spectrum, making it promising for photocatalytic applications. BET nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements reveal a substantial surface area of approximately 85.720 m2 /g, confirming the composite’s versatility and applicability, particularly in photocatalysis and adsorption processes. Additionally, X-ray diffraction analysis indicates reflections consistent with the crystal structures of kasterite CZTS and sepiolite, further confirming the composite’s composition. The multifunctional CZTS/Sepiolite composite demonstrates exceptional potential for simultaneous photocatalytic degradation and adsorption of organic pollutants, presenting a promising avenue for sustainable water treatment applications.

Point-junction and alkali-assisted surface selenium diffusion: Unveiling a two-step method for enhancing the efficiency of VTD-SnS thin-film solar cells

Surface and interface engineering in thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) is vital for optimizing charge carrier dynamics, reducing recombination, enhancing material properties, and ultimately improving efficiency and overall performance. In this study, e-beam evaporation was used to deposit selenium (Se) onto tin sulfide (SnS) absorber layers with a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm. The Se layer optimization was validated using various characterization techniques, which confirmed the formation of micro-sized openings via Se droplet deposition. This Se passivation-plus-local opening geometry plays a crucial role in forming point-junctions with the n-type CdS during cell fabrication, presenting a novel approach in state-of-the-art technology. The results revealed a significant enhancement in the conversion efficiency of the SLG/Mo/SnS/Se/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Al device to 3.01 % (VOC = 0.326 V, JSC = 20.21 mA cm−2, and FF = 0.45) with 30 nm Se layer deposition. Furthermore, a 30 nm-thick NaF-assisted Se layer was deposited to improve device performance. The diffusion of both Se and Na into the SnS substrate was validated using XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM, and XPS. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the SLG/Mo/SnSSe-NaF/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Al device was further enhanced to 3.70 % (VOC = 0.340 V, JSC = 22.56 mA cm−2, and FF = 0.48). This enhancement is attributed to the creation of localized junctions via Se surface passivation, and the concurrent SnSSe formation induces band gap tuning and increases the grain size, contributing to additional PCE improvement during Na-assisted Se diffusion.

Unveiling the Electronic Structure of SnS for Photocatalytic Applications: A DFT Approach†

AbstractPhotocatalytic materials are of great scientific interest due to their potential applications in sustainable energy sources. Band gap and optical absorption of the materials are two core characteristics for photocatalysis that eventually depend on electronic structure. In order to accurately compute (predict) the electronic‐scale properties of a crystalline solid using first principles calculations, which might be costly to measure experimentally, large‐scale atomic level calculation frameworks have been made possible through the use of density functional theory (DFT). We have used DFT with many body perturbation theory (MBPT) by solving the bethe‐salpeter equation (BSE) to priorly predict the properties of bulk tin sulfide (SnS) as it meets the necessary requirements for photocatalytic applications. We fixed the DFT band gap underestimation by including the Hubbard parameter (U) and used projector augmented wave pseudo‐potentials with generalized‐gradient approximation (GGA) to calculate the electronic and optical properties of SnS. Optical properties were computed using independent particle approximation (IPA) and BSE with DFT+U wave functions. Our theoretical results align with experimental data for this material, demonstrating the potential for further research in validating experimental results with theoretical approximations and empirical relations.