Hydrazine Hydrate-Induced Surface Modification of CdS Electron Transport Layer Enables 10.30%-Efficient Sb2(S,Se)3 Planar Solar Cells

Antimony selenosulfide (Sb-2(S,Se)(3)), a simple alloyed compound containing earth-abundant constituents, with a tunable bandgap and high absorption coefficient has attracted significant attention in high-efficiency photovoltaic applications. Optimizing interfacial defects and absorber layers to a high standard is essential in improving the efficiency of Sb-2(S,Se)(3) solar cells. In particular, the electron transport layer (ETL) greatly affects the final device performance of the superstrate structure. In this study, a simple and effective hydrazine hydrate (N2H4) solution post-treatment is proposed to modify CdS ETL in order to enhance Sb-2(S,Se)(3) solar cell efficiency. By this process, oxides and residual chlorides, caused by CdCl2 treated CdS under a high temperature over 400 degrees C in air, are appropriately removed, rendering smoother and flatter CdS ETL as well as high-quality Sb-2(S,Se)(3) thin films. Furthermore, the interfacial energy band alignment and recombination loss are both improved, resulting in an as-fabricated FTO/CdS-N2H4/Sb-2(S,Se)(3)/spiro-OMeTAD/Au solar cell with a high PCE of 10.30%, placing it in the top tier of Sb-based solar devices. This study provides a fresh perspective on interfacial optimization and promotes the future development of antimony chalcogenide-based planar solar cells.

Automated summary

A method to improve the efficiency of Sb-2(S,Se)(3) solar cells by using hydrazine hydrate solution post-treatment to modify CdS electron transport layer (ETL) is proposed in this study. The CdS ETL becomes smoother and the quality of Sb-2(S,Se)(3) thin films is improved after the treatment. Furthermore, the interfacial energy band alignment and recombination loss are both improved, resulting in a high efficient solar cell.