Photovoltaic Performance Investigation of Superstrate Sb2Se3 Solar Cells with Non-toxic Zn(O,S) Buffer Layer via Magnetron Sputtering

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has received much attention as an absorber layer in thin-film solar cells due to its exceptional optoelectronic characteristics, abundance on Earth, and low toxicity; therefore, this research investigates the photovoltaic response of antimony selenide -based solar cells in superstrate structure. A larger bandgap zinc oxysulfide (Zn(O,S)) was employed as an alternate buffer layer rather than standard CdS. The influence of oxygen flow rates used during the growth of the Zn(O,S) buffer layer on the photovoltaic performance of solar cells was examined. Furthermore, the impact of the post-annealing time of the SLG/ITO/Zn(O,S)/Sb2Se3 solar cell structure on efficiency was investigated as well. The importance of the buffer layer's optical and electrical qualities in improving the photovoltaic parameters of solar cells was discussed. Moreover, the significance of the desired dominant crystal orientation and tightly bound surface structure in the absorber layer to obtain photo response from the solar cell and the effect of the post-annealing duration on these properties were also discussed. The results are promising for replacing an environmentally friendly zinc oxysulfide buffer layer with a cadmium sulfide buffer layer, which is conventionally used in Sb2Se3 solar cells.