Key factors affecting the performance of Sb₂S₃-sensitized solar cells during an Sb₂S₃ deposition via SbCl₃-thiourea complex solution-processing

Sb₂S₃ is considered as one of the emerging light absorbers that can be applied to next-generation solar cells because of its unique optical and electrical properties. Recently, we demonstrated its potential as next-generation solar cells by achieving a high photovoltaic efficiency of > 6% in Sb₂S₃-sensitized solar cells using a simple thiourea (TU)-based complex solution method. Here, we describe the key experimental procedures for the deposition of Sb₂S₃ on a mesoporous TiO₂ (mp-TiO₂) layer using a SbCl₃-TU complex solution in the fabrication of solar cells. First, the SbCl₃-TU solution is synthesized by dissolving SbCl₃ and TU in N,N-dimethylformamide at different molar ratios of SbCl₃:TU. Then, the solution is deposited on as-prepared substrates consisting of mp-TiO₂/TiO₂-blocking layer/F-doped SnO₂ glass by spin coating. Finally, to form crystalline Sb₂S₃, the samples are annealed in an N₂-filled glove box at 300 °C. The effects of the experimental parameters on the photovoltaic device performance are also discussed.