One-Step Solution Deposition of Antimony Selenoiodide Films via Precursor Engineering for Lead-Free Solar Cell...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Ternary chalcohalides are emerging as viable lead-free alternatives in photovoltaic applications.
• Antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) exhibits promising optoelectronic characteristics for solar energy conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a straightforward, solution-phase method for fabricating high-quality antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) films.
• To investigate the influence of precursor molar ratios and annealing temperatures on SbSeI film properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SbSeI films via spin-coating of precursor solutions followed by thermal annealing.
• Synthesis of precursor solutions by adjusting the molar ratios of SbCl3-selenourea and SbI3.
• Optimization of annealing temperature and precursor molar ratio for film growth.

Main Results:

• The study identified optimal conditions for SbSeI film formation: a 1:1.5 molar ratio and a heating temperature of 150 °C.
• These conditions resulted in the formation of nanostructured SbSeI films with high crystallinity.
• The developed precursor-engineering approach demonstrated versatility, applicable to (Bi,Sb)SeI fabrication.

Conclusions:

• A simple, one-step solution-phase method enables efficient fabrication of SbSeI films.
• Precise control over precursor stoichiometry and annealing temperature is crucial for achieving desired film phase and morphology.
• The findings contribute to the development of efficient and environmentally friendly lead-free photovoltaic materials.