Sb₂Se₃Liquid-Junction Semiconductor-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

We report on the photovoltaic performance of liquid-junction Sb2Se3 semiconductor-sensitized solar cells (SSCs), prepared by growth of Sb2Se3 nanoparticles on a nanoporous TiO2 electrode using the solvothermal method. The growth of nanoparticles was investigated as a function of reaction time and solution concentration. The optimal sample was obtained by reacting a 0.1 M antimony solution with a 0.09 M selenium solution for 16 h. The best cell yielded an open-circuit voltage of 0.51 V, a short-circuit current density of 4.14 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 55% and an efficiency of 1.08% under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. A potential advantage is that the Sb2Se3 SSCs are stable in the polyiodide electrolyte. The optical absorption spectra suggest that, with improving sample growth, Sb2Se3 solar cells could achieve efficiencies significantly higher than the present value.