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Avilez García R, Cerdán-Pasarán A, Enríquez J, Mathews N. Pulse electrodeposition of CuSbS 2 thin films: Role of Cu/Sb precursor ratio on the phase formation and its performance as photocathode for hydrogen evolution §. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24491. [PMID: 38318042 PMCID: PMC10838701 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we outline the development of stoichiometric chalcostibite, CuSbS2 thin films, from a single bath by pulse electrodeposition for its application as a photocathode in photoelectrochemical cells (PEC). The Cu/Sb precursor molar ratio of the deposition bath was varied to obtain stoichiometric CuSbS2 thin films. The optimized deposition and dissolution potentials were -0.72 V and -0.1 V vs saturated calomel electrode, respectively. The formation of CuSbS2 was analyzed using different characterization tools. X-ray diffraction and Raman results showed the formation of the pure chalcostibite phase from a precursor bath with molar ratio Cu/Sb = 0.41. The heterostructure CuSbS2/CdS/Pt was tested as a photocathode in the PEC. The energy positions of the conduction and valence bands were estimated from the Mott Schottky plots. The conduction band and valence band offset of CuSbS2/CdS heterojunction were 0.1 eV and 1.04 eV, respectively. The electric field created in the junction reduced the recombination of the electron/hole pairs and improved charge transfer in the interface. The heterostructure CuSbS2/CdS/Pt demonstrated an improved photocurrent density of 3.4 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode. The PEC efficiency obtained from the CuSbS2/CdS heterojunction was 0.56 %. Therefore, we demonstrated the feasibility of an inexpensive technique like electrodeposition for the development of an efficient earth-abundant photocathode.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.G. Avilez García
- Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Energías Renovables, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Libramiento Norte # 1150 Lajas Maciel, C.P. 29039 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Andrea Cerdán-Pasarán
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Av. Universidad, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León C.P. 66455, Mexico
| | - J.P. Enríquez
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Energías Renovables, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Libramiento Norte # 1150 Lajas Maciel, C.P. 29039 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - N.R. Mathews
- Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico
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Yağci Ö, Yüksel SA, Bozkurt K, Altındal A. The effect of boron doping on the optical, morphological and structural properties of Cu 3SbS 3 thin films prepared via spin coating. NEW J CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1039/d3nj00668a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, boron doped Cu3SbS3 thin films were produced via spin coating method. Boron doped Cu3SbS3 thin films will provide new dimensions for the design of environmentally friendly, low cost and highly efficient solar cell absorber layer.
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Thomas A, Karmakar G, Shah AY, Lokhande SV, Kulkarni AY, Tyagi A, Singh Chauhan R, Kumar NN, Singh AP. Molecular precursor-mediated facile synthesis of photo-responsive stibnite Sb 2S 3 nanorods and tetrahedrite Cu 12Sb 4S 13 nanocrystals. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:12181-12191. [PMID: 35876784 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt01814d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Stibnite Sb2S3 and tetrahedrite Cu12Sb4S13 nanostructures being economical, environmentally benign and having a high absorption coefficient are highly promising materials for energy conversion applications. However, producing these materials especially tetrahedrite in the phase pure form is a challenging task. In this report we present a structurally characterized single source molecular precursor [Sb(4,6-Me2pymS)3] for the facile synthesis of binary Sb2S3 as well as ternary Cu12Sb4S13 in oleylamine (OAm) at a relatively lower temperature. The as-prepared Sb2S3 and Cu12Sb4S13 nanostructures were thoroughly checked for their phase purity, elemental composition and morphology by powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron microscopy techniques. pXRD and EDS studies confirm the formation of phase pure, crystalline orthorhombic Sb2S3 and cubic Cu12Sb4S13. The SEM, TEM and HRTEM images depict the formation of well-defined nanorods and nearly spherical nanocrystals for Sb2S3 and Cu12Sb4S13, respectively. The Sb2S3 nanorods and Cu12Sb4S13 nanocrystals exhibit an optical bandgap of ∼1.88 and 2.07 eV, respectively, which are slightly blue-shifted relative to their bulk bandgap, indicating the quantum confinement effect. Finally, efficient photoresponsivity and good photo-stability were achieved in the as-prepared Sb2S3 and Cu12Sb4S13 nanostructure-based prototype photo-electrochemical cell, which make them promising candidates for alternative low-cost photon absorber materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077, India.
| | - Gourab Karmakar
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Alpa Y Shah
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India.
| | - Saili Vikram Lokhande
- Department of Chemistry, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077, India.
| | - Atharva Yeshwant Kulkarni
- Department of Chemistry, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077, India.
| | - Adish Tyagi
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Rohit Singh Chauhan
- Department of Chemistry, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077, India.
| | - N Naveen Kumar
- Materials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Avadhesh Pratap Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical and Social Sciences, Sultanpur-228118, India
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Alharbi YT, Alam F, Salhi A, Missous M, Lewis DJ. Direct synthesis of nanostructured silver antimony sulfide powders from metal xanthate precursors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3053. [PMID: 33542323 PMCID: PMC7862388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver(I) ethylxanthate [AgS2COEt] (1) and antimony(III) ethylxanthate [Sb(S2COEt)3] (2) have been synthesised, characterised and used as precursors for the preparation of AgSbS2 powders and thin films using a solvent-free melt method and spin coating technique, respectively. The as-synthesized AgSbS2 powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The crystalline AgSbS2 powder was investigated using XRD, which shows that AgSbS2 has cuboargyrite as the dominant phase, which was also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. SEM was also used to study the morphology of the resulting material which is potentially nanostructured. EDX spectra gives a clear indication of the presence of silver (Ag), antimony (Sb) and sulfur (S) in material, suggesting that decomposition is clean and produces high quality AgSbS2 crystalline powder, which is consistent with the XRD and Raman data. Electronic properties of AgSbS2 thin films deposited by spin coating show a p-type conductivity with measured carrier mobility of 81 cm2 V-1 s-1 and carrier concentration of 1.9 × 1015 cm-3. The findings of this study reveal a new bottom-up route to these compounds, which have potential application as absorber layers in solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser T Alharbi
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Firoz Alam
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Abdelmajid Salhi
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mohamed Missous
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - David J Lewis
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Alqahtani T, Khan MD, Lewis DJ, Zhong XL, O'Brien P. Scalable synthesis of Cu-Sb-S phases from reactive melts of metal xanthates and effect of cationic manipulation on structural and optical properties. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1887. [PMID: 33479247 PMCID: PMC7820284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80951-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a simple, economical and low temperature route for phase-pure synthesis of two distinct phases of Cu–Sb–S, chalcostibite (CuSbS2) and tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) nanostructures. Both compounds were prepared by the decomposition of a mixture of bis(O-ethylxanthato)copper(II) and tris(O-ethylxanthato)antimony(III), without the use of solvent or capping ligands. By tuning the molar ratio of copper and antimony xanthates, single-phases of either chalcostibite or tetrahedrite were obtained. The tetrahedrite phase exists in a cubic structure, where the Cu and Sb atoms are present in different coordination environments, and tuning of band gap energy was investigated by the incorporation of multivalent cationic dopants, i.e. by the formation of Zn-doped tetrahedrites Cu12−xZnxSb4S13 (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.2 and 1.5) and the Bi-doped tetrahedrites Cu12Sb4−xBixS13 (x = 0.08, 0.15, 0.25, 0.32, 0.4 and 0.5). Powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) confirms single-phase of cubic tetrahedrite structures for both of the doped series. The only exception was for Cu12Sb4−xBixS13 with x = 0.5, which showed a secondary phase, implying that this value is above the solubility limit of Bi in Cu12Sb4S13 (12%). A linear increase in the lattice parameter a in both Zn- and Bi-doped tetrahedrite samples was observed with increasing dopant concentration. The estimated elemental compositions from EDX data are in line with the stoichiometric ratio expected for the compounds formed. The morphologies of samples were investigated using SEM and TEM, revealing the formation of smaller particle sizes upon incorporation of Zn. Incorporation of Zn or Bi into Cu12Sb4S13 led to an increase in band gap energy. The estimated band gap energies of Cu12−xZnxSb4S13 films ranges from 1.49 to 1.6 eV, while the band gaps of Cu12Sb4−xBixS13 films increases from 1.49 to 1.72 eV with increasing x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahani Alqahtani
- School of Physics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Malik Dilshad Khan
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw, 01-224, Poland.
| | - David J Lewis
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Xiang Li Zhong
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Paul O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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6
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Impurity Phases and Optoelectronic Properties of CuSbSe2 Thin Films Prepared by Cosputtering Process for Absorber Layer in Solar Cells. COATINGS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings10121209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
When there is a choice of materials for an application, particular emphasis should be given to the development of those that are low-cost, nontoxic, and Earth-abundant. Chalcostibite CuSbSe2 has gained attention as a potential absorber material for thin-film solar cells, since it exhibits a high absorption coefficient. In this study, CuSbSe2 thin films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron cosputtering with CuSe2 and Sb targets. A series of CuSbxSe2 thin films were prepared with different Sb contents adjusted by sputtering power, followed by rapid thermal annealing. Impurity phases and surface morphology of Cu–Sb–Se systems were directly affected by the Sb sputtering power, with the formation of volatile components. The crystallinity of the CuSbSe2 thin films was also enhanced in the near-stoichiometric system at an Sb sputtering power of 15 W, and considerable degradation in crystallinity occurred with a slight increase over 19 W. Resistivity, carrier mobility, and carrier concentration of the near-stoichiometric thin film were 14.4 Ω-cm, 3.27 cm2/V∙s, and 1.33 × 1017 cm−3, respectively. The optical band gap and absorption coefficient under the same conditions were 1.7 eV and 1.75 × 105 cm−1, which are acceptable for highly efficient thin-film solar cells.
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Vakalopoulou E, Buchmaier C, Pein A, Saf R, Fischer RC, Torvisco A, Warchomicka F, Rath T, Trimmel G. Synthesis and characterization of zinc di( O-2,2-dimethylpentan-3-yl dithiocarbonates) bearing pyridine or tetramethylethylenediamine coligands and investigation of their thermal conversion mechanisms towards nanocrystalline zinc sulfide. Dalton Trans 2020; 49:14564-14575. [PMID: 33107536 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt03065a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Metal xanthates are versatile single source precursors for the preparation of various metal sulfides. In this study, we present the synthesis of the two novel zinc xanthate complexes bis(O-2,2-dimethylpentan-3-yl-dithiocarbonato)(N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine)zinc(ii) and bis(O-2,2-dimethylpentan-3-yl-dithiocarbonato)(pyridine)zinc(ii). A thorough investigation of these compounds revealed distinct differences in their structural and thermal properties. While in the complex containing the chelating tetramethylethylenediamine, the xanthate groups coordinate in a monodentate way, they are bidentally coordinated to the zinc atom in the pyridine containing complex. Both compounds show a two-step thermal decomposition with an onset temperature of 151 °C and 156 °C for the tetramethylethylenediamine and pyridine containing complex, respectively. Moreover, different mechanisms are revealed for the two phases of the decomposition based on high resolution mass spectrometry investigations. By the thermal conversion process nanocrystalline zinc sulfide is produced and the coligand significantly influences its primary crystallite size, which is 4.4 nm using the tetramethylethylenediamine and 11.4 nm using the pyridine containing complex for samples prepared at a temperature of 400 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Vakalopoulou
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Christine Buchmaier
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Andreas Pein
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Robert Saf
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Roland C Fischer
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ana Torvisco
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Fernando Warchomicka
- Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming, Graz University of Technology, Kopernikusgasse 24, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Rath
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Gregor Trimmel
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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8
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Zaki SA, Abd-Elrahman M, Abu-Sehly A, Shaalan N, Hafiz M. Solar cell fabrication from semiconducting Cu3SbS3 on n-Si: Parameters evolution. MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING 2020; 115:105123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2020.105123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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9
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Chukanov NV, Vigasina MF. Raman Spectra of Minerals. VIBRATIONAL (INFRARED AND RAMAN) SPECTRA OF MINERALS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-26803-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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10
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Yadav R, Singh S, Trivedi M, Kociok-Köhn G, Rath NP, Köhn RD, Muddassir M, Kumar A. New main-group ferrocenyldithiocarbamates and conversion to ferrocene oxazolidine-2-thione and -2-one. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj06139h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Three new main-group ferrocenyl dithiocarbamates and a pure cyclised product, 3-ferrocenylmethyl-oxazolidine-2-thione, were isolated using copper powder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Yadav
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Lucknow
- Lucknow 226 007
- India
| | - Suryabhan Singh
- Department of Chemistry
- Guru GhasidasVishwadiyalaya
- Bilaspur
- India
| | - Manoj Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Delhi
- Delhi 110 007
- India
| | - Gabriele Kociok-Köhn
- Material and Chemical Characterisation Facility (MC2)
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Nigam P. Rath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Centre for Nanoscience
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- One University Boulevard
- St. Louis
- USA
| | | | - Mohd. Muddassir
- Department of Chemistry
- College of Sciences
- King Saud University
- Riyadh 11451
- Saudi Arabia
| | - Abhinav Kumar
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Lucknow
- Lucknow 226 007
- India
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11
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Dzhardimalieva GI, Uflyand IE. Chalcogen-containing metal chelates as single-source precursors of nanostructured materials: recent advances and future development. J COORD CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00958972.2019.1612884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gulzhian I. Dzhardimalieva
- Laboratory of Metallopolymers, The Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics RAS, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Igor E. Uflyand
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
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12
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Peccerillo E, Durose K. Copper—antimony and copper—bismuth chalcogenides—Research opportunities and review for solar photovoltaics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1557/mre.2018.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe ternary Cu-Sb- and Cu-Bi-chalcogenides present a rich range of compounds of potential use for large-scale photovoltaics from Earth abundant elements. This paper reviews the state of fundamental knowledge about them, and their technological status with regard to solar cells. Research targets and missing data are highlighted, which may provide opportunities to help realize the goal of sustainable photovoltaics.The family of ternary Cu-Sb- and Cu-Bi-chalcogenides and their solid solutions present a rich selection of potential candidates for Earth-abundant low toxicity photovoltaic (PV) absorber materials. Moreover, they have some novel features imparted by the ns2 lone pair of electrons on the Sb and Bi ions. This review evaluates them as electronic materials, including experimental and theoretical evaluations of their phases, thermodynamic stability, point defects, conductivity, optical data, and PV performances. Formation of the materials in bulk, thin film, and nanoforms and the properties of the materials are critically assessed with relevance to their suitability for PV devices. There is special emphasis on CuSbS2 and CuSbSe2 which form the mainstay of the device literature and provide the most insights into the present-day limitation of the device efficiencies to 3 or 4%. Missing features of the literature are highlighted and clear statements recommending potential research pathways are made, which may help advance the technological performance from its present stuck position.
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13
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Stroyuk O, Raevskaya A, Gaponik N. Solar light harvesting with multinary metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:5354-5422. [PMID: 29799031 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00029h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The paper reviews the state of the art in the synthesis of multinary (ternary, quaternary and more complex) metal chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs) and their applications as a light absorbing or an auxiliary component of light-harvesting systems. This includes solid-state and liquid-junction solar cells and photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems designed for the conversion of solar light into the electric current or the accumulation of solar energy in the form of products of various chemical reactions. The review discusses general aspects of the light absorption and photophysical properties of multinary metal chalcogenide NCs, the modern state of the synthetic strategies applied to produce the multinary metal chalcogenide NCs and related nanoheterostructures, and recent achievements in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar cells and the photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems. The review is concluded by an outlook with a critical discussion of the most promising ways and challenging aspects of further progress in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar photovoltaics and photochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Stroyuk
- L.V. Pysarzhevsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv, Ukraine.
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14
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Bera S, Dutta A, Mutyala S, Ghosh D, Pradhan N. Predominated Thermodynamically Controlled Reactions for Suppressing Cross Nucleations in Formation of Multinary Substituted Tetrahedrite Nanocrystals. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:1907-1912. [PMID: 29584942 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Group I-II-V-VI semiconducting Cu12- xM xSb4S13 (M = ZnII, CdII, MnII and CuII) substituted tetrahedrite nanostructures remain a new class of multinary materials that have not been widely explored yet. Having different ions, the formation process of these nanostructures always has the possibility of formation of cross nucleations. Minimizing the reaction time, herein, a predominantly thermodynamic control approach is reported, which decouples the quaternary nucleations from their possible cross nucleations. As a consequence, possible cross nucleations were prevented and a series of nearly monodisperse intriguing substituted tetrahedrite nanostructures were formed. The possible LaMer plot for the single- and multimaterial nucleations is also proposed. Further, bandgaps of all of these new materials are calculated, and preliminarily, the applicability of these materials is tested for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bera
- Department of Materials Science , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Kolkata 700032 , India
| | - Anirban Dutta
- Department of Materials Science , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Kolkata 700032 , India
| | - Sankararao Mutyala
- Department of Materials Science , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Kolkata 700032 , India
| | - Dibyendu Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research , Kolkata 700064 , India
| | - Narayan Pradhan
- Department of Materials Science , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Kolkata 700032 , India
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15
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Al-Shakban M, Matthews PD, Zhong XL, Vitorica-Yrezabal I, Raftery J, Lewis DJ, O'Brien P. On the phase control of CuInS2 nanoparticles from Cu-/In-xanthates. Dalton Trans 2018; 47:5304-5309. [DOI: 10.1039/c8dt00653a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we report the synthesis characterisation of six In(iii) xanthate complexes that have been used for the synthesis of CuInS2 nanoparticles in conjunction with a Cu(i)-xanthate – we have also demonstrated an ability to control the phase of the material through choice of solvent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter D. Matthews
- Lennard-Jones Laboratories
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Keele University
- Keele
- UK
| | | | | | - James Raftery
- School of Chemistry
- University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
| | | | - Paul O'Brien
- School of Materials
- University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
- School of Chemistry
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16
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Whittles TJ, Veal TD, Savory CN, Welch AW, de Souza Lucas FW, Gibbon JT, Birkett M, Potter RJ, Scanlon DO, Zakutayev A, Dhanak VR. Core Levels, Band Alignments, and Valence-Band States in CuSbS 2 for Solar Cell Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:41916-41926. [PMID: 29124940 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The earth-abundant material CuSbS2 (CAS) has shown good optical properties as a photovoltaic solar absorber material, but has seen relatively poor solar cell performance. To investigate the reason for this anomaly, the core levels of the constituent elements, surface contaminants, ionization potential, and valence-band spectra are studied by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The ionization potential and electron affinity for this material (4.98 and 3.43 eV) are lower than those for other common absorbers, including CuInxGa(1-x)Se2 (CIGS). Experimentally corroborated density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the valence band maximum is raised by the lone pair electrons from the antimony cations contributing additional states when compared with indium or gallium cations in CIGS. The resulting conduction band misalignment with CdS is a reason for the poor performance of cells incorporating a CAS/CdS heterojunction, supporting the idea that using a cell design analogous to CIGS is unhelpful. These findings underline the critical importance of considering the electronic structure when selecting cell architectures that optimize open-circuit voltages and cell efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Whittles
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZF, U.K
| | - Tim D Veal
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZF, U.K
| | - Christopher N Savory
- Department of Chemistry, University College London , Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, U.K
- Thomas Young Centre, University College London , Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Adam W Welch
- Material Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory , 15013 Denver W Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | | | - James T Gibbon
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZF, U.K
| | - Max Birkett
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZF, U.K
| | - Richard J Potter
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 3GH, U.K
| | - David O Scanlon
- Department of Chemistry, University College London , Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, U.K
- Thomas Young Centre, University College London , Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- Diamond Light Source Ltd. , Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, U.K
| | - Andriy Zakutayev
- Material Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory , 15013 Denver W Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Vinod R Dhanak
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZF, U.K
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17
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Al-Shakban M, Matthews PD, O'Brien P. A simple route to complex materials: the synthesis of alkaline earth – transition metal sulfides. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:10058-10061. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cc05643e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A simple, low-temperature synthesis of a family of alkaline earth metal chalcogenide thin films is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mundher Al-Shakban
- School of Materials
- University of Manchester
- Oxford Road
- Manchester M13 9PL
- UK
| | | | - Paul O'Brien
- School of Materials
- University of Manchester
- Oxford Road
- Manchester M13 9PL
- UK
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18
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Zhang Y, Tian J, Jiang K, Huang J, Wang H, Song Y. Gas–solid reaction for in situ deposition of Cu3SbS4 on a mesoporous TiO2 film. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra08137e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel, facile, in situ gas–solid reaction method has been successfully employed for the deposition of famatinite (Cu3SbS4) semiconductor on a mesosporous TiO2 film. The Cu3SbS4 film shows good photoresponse performance with a high potential as a photovoltaic absorber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing
| | - Jianhua Tian
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072
- P. R. China
| | - Kejian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing
- Institute of Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- P. R. China
| | - Jinhua Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing
- Institute of Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- P. R. China
| | - Huijia Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300072
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing
| | - Yanlin Song
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing
- Institute of Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- P. R. China
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