Review on earth-abundant and environmentally benign Cu–Sn–X(X = S, Se) nanoparticles by chemical synthesis for sustainable solar energy conversion

An Infrequent 1D Manganese-Tin Selenide with Bifunctional Catalytic Properties

The optoelectronic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic properties of new tin selenides are of great significance for various energy applications. Herein, a facile solvothermal reaction of Sn, Se, and MnCl2 in 1,3-propodiamine (1,3-dap) solution at 150 °C for 7 days was used to achieve a new type of one-dimensional (1D) organic hybrid manganese-tin selenide [Mn2(1,3-dap)4(μ-1,3-dap)Sn2Se6]n (MnSnSe-1), whose 1D framework is built up from the linkage of rare unsaturated binuclear [Mn2(1,3-dap)4(μ-1,3-dap)]2+ cations and dimeric [Sn2Se6]4- anions. The combination of MnSnSe-1 and Ni nanoparticle is first applied for the preparation of a Ni/MnSnSe-1/NF electrode (NF = porous Ni foam) as the efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), indicating excellent HER electrocatalytic property with an overpotential of 117 mV at 10 mA·cm-2 in a neutral medium. Owing to its narrow absorption edge of 1.65 eV, implying prominent harvesting ability in the visible-light region, MnSnSe-1 shows a remarkable photocurrent response and excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic property for the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution.

Mixed Tin Valence in the Tin(II/IV)-Nitridophosphate Sn3P8N16

Sn3P8N16 combines the structural versatility of nitridophosphates and Sn within one compound. It was synthesized as dark gray powder in a high-pressure high-temperature reaction at 800 °C and 6 GPa from Sn3N4 and P3N5. The crystal structure was elucidated from single-crystal diffraction data (space group C2/m (no. 12), a=12.9664(4), b=10.7886(4), c=4.8238(2) Å, β=109.624(1)°) and shows a 3D-network of PN4 tetrahedra, incorporating Sn in oxidation states +II and +IV. The Sn cations are located within eight-membered rings of vertex-sharing PN4 tetrahedra, stacked along the [001] direction. A combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations was used to confirm the mixed oxidation of Sn. Temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction measurements reveal a low thermal expansion of 3.6 ppm/K up to 750 °C, beyond which Sn3P8N16 starts to decompose.

Highly sensitive photoelectrochemical immunosensor for detecting cancer marker CA19-9 based on a new SnSe quantum dot

A sandwich-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor was constructed on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) using gold-coated tin selenide quantum dots (Au-SnSe QDs) to determine the carbohydrate antigen 19 9 (CA19-9). Water-soluble Au-SnSe QDs were prepared by coating low-cost SnSe QDs, prepared by reacting tin(II) 2-ethyl hexanoate with selenium ions (HNaSe) without needing to add an external capping agent (SnSe QDs). SnSe-based QDs were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). DSP (dithio-bis (succinimidyl propionate)) as a linker was attached on Au@SnSe QDs and conjugated with CA19-9 monoclonal antibodies (Ab₂-DSP-Au@SnSE QD). For capture probe assembling, an Au nano-layer was electrochemically deposited on a SPE by HAuCl₄ reduction using 12 cycles of cyclic voltammetry (0 to - 1.4 V) at the scan rate of 50 mV s^-1, then covered by self-assembly of DSP and covalent conjugation of CA19-9 Ab₁. Our developed PEC immunosensor showed a significant photoelectrochemical response, recorded using chronoamperometry (0.3 V), for the presence of CA19-9 antigen in serum samples under light irradiation, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.0011 U mL^-1 and a dynamic range of 0.005-100 U mL^-1. The recovery of CA19-9 determination from serum samples was 101 to 113%.

Fundamental Aspects and Comprehensive Review on Physical Properties of Chemically Grown Tin-Based Binary Sulfides

The rapid research progress in tin-based binary sulfides (Sn_xS_y = o-SnS, c-SnS, SnS₂, and Sn₂S₃) by the solution process has opened a new path not only for photovoltaics to generate clean energy at ultra-low costs but also for photocatalytic and thermoelectric applications. Fascinated by their prosperous developments, a fundamental understanding of the Sn_xS_y thin film growth with respect to the deposition parameters is necessary to enhance the film quality and device performance. Therefore, the present review article initially delivers all-inclusive information such as structural characteristics, optical characteristics, and electrical characteristics of Sn_xS_y. Next, an overview of the chemical bath deposition of Sn_xS_y thin films and the influence of each deposition parameter on the growth and physical properties of Sn_xS_y are interestingly outlined.

Design and simulation of a high-performance Cd-free Cu2SnSe3 solar cells with SnS electron-blocking hole transport layer and TiO2 electron transport layer by SCAPS-1D

This article presents numerical investigations of the novel (Ni/SnS/Cu2SnSe3/TiO2/ITO/Al) heterostructure of Cu2SnSe3 based solar cell using SCAPS-1D simulator. Purpose of this research is to explore the influence of SnS hole transport layer (HTL) and TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL) on the performance of the proposed cell. Based on the proposed device architecture, effects of thickness and carrier concentration of absorber layer, SnS HTL, TiO2 ETL, absorber layer defect density, operating temperature and back-contact metal work function (BMWF) are studied to improve the cell performance. Our initial simulation results show that if SnS HTL is not introduced, the efficiency of standard Cu2SnSe3 cell is 1.66%, which is well agreed with the reported experimental results in literature. However, by using SnS and TiO2 as HTL and ETL, respectively and optimizing the cell parameters, a simulated efficiency of up to 27% can be achieved. For Cu2SnSe3 absorber layer, 5 × 1017 cm−3 and 1500 nm are the optimal values of carrier concentration and thickness, respectively. On the other hand, the BMWF is estimated to be greater than 5.2 eV for optimum cell performance. Results of this contribution can provide constructive research avenues for thin-films photovoltaic industry to fabricate cost-effective, high-efficiency and cadmium-free Cu2SnSe3-based solar cells.

Seed-mediated growth of heterostructured Cu1.94S-MS (M = Zn, Cd, Mn) and alloyed CuNS2 (N = In, Ga) nanocrystals for use in structure- and composition-dependent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Multinary copper-based chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs) as light-driven photocatalysts have attracted extensive research interest due to their great potential for generating sustainable energy without causing environmental concerns. However, systematic studies on the growth mechanism and related photocatalytic activities involving different valent metal ions (either M²⁺ or N³⁺) as foreign cations and monoclinic Cu_1.94S NCs as the 'parent lattice' have rarely been carried out. In this work, we report an effective seed-mediated method for the synthesis of heterostructured Cu_1.94S-MS NCs (M = Zn, Cd and Mn) and alloyed CuNS₂ NCs (N = In and Ga). A typical cation exchange process took place prior to the growth of heterostructured NCs, while further inter-cation diffusion occurred only for the alloyed NCs. When compared with Cu_1.94S NCs, all the heterostructured Cu_1.94S-MS NCs and CuGaS₂ NCs showed enhanced photocatalytic activities toward hydrogen production by water splitting, owing to their tailored optical band gaps and energy level alignments. Although optically favored, CuInS₂ ANCs were not comparable to others due to their low conduction band minimum for the reduction of H₂O to H₂.

Endangered elements, critical raw materials and conflict minerals

Amid present concerns over a potential scarcity of critical elements and raw materials that are essential for modern technology, including those for low-carbon energy production, a survey of the present situation, and how it may unfold both in the immediate and the longer term, appears warranted. For elements such as indium, current recycling rates are woefully low, and although a far more effective recycling programme is necessary for most materials, it is likely that a full-scale inauguration of a global renewable energy system will require substitution of many scarcer elements by more Earth-abundant material alternatives. Currently, however, it is fossil fuels that are needed to process them, and many putative Earth-abundant material technologies are insufficiently close to the level of commercial viability required to begin to supplant their fossil fuel equivalents "necessarily rapidly and at scale". As part of a significant expansion of renewable energy production, it will be necessary to recycle elements from wind turbines and solar panels (especially thin-film cells). The interconnected nature of particular materials, for example, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium and tellurium, all mainly being recovered from the production of zinc, aluminium and copper, and helium from natural gas, means that the availability of such 'hitchhiker' elements is a function of the reserve size and production rate of the primary (or 'attractor') material. Even for those elements that are relatively abundant on Earth, limitations in their production rates/supply may well be experienced on a timescale of decades, and so a more efficient (reduced) use of them, coupled with effective collection and recycling strategies, should be embarked upon urgently.

Eco-friendly synthesis of SnSe nanoparticles: effect of reducing agents on the reactivity of a Se-precursor and phase formation of SnSe NPs

Tin monoselenide (SnSe) nanoparticles (NPs) have great potential to replace the conventional absorbers used in the fabrication of thin film solar cells.

Selective formation of ternary Cu–Ge–S nanostructures in solution

Selective formation of ternary Cu–Ge–S nanostructures was achieved by manipulating the solvent environment, leading to either faceted Cu₈GeS₆ nanostructures or fragmented Cu₂GeS₃ nanocrystals.