Ag Incorporation Strategies in Chalcogenide Solar Cells: Formation Mechanisms and Pathways Toward High Efficiency

ABSTRACT Silver (Ag) incorporation has proven to be an effective approach for enhancing photovoltaic energy generation by tailoring the properties of chalcogenide absorbers. In thin‐film photovoltaic technology, inorganic solar cells such as Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 , Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 , Sb 2 (S,Se) 3, and other chalcogenide thin‐film absorbers offer significant potential due to their tunable bandgaps, strong light absorption, and compatibility with scalable manufacturing processes. This review focuses on recent advancements in Ag incorporation within the chalcogenide family, emphasizing device principles, absorber suitability, and performance limitations. Both numerical and experimental studies demonstrate that Ag introduction promotes favorable growth orientations under controlled conditions while passivating defects and reducing recombination losses. The discussion concludes with strategies to overcome challenges associated with Ag incorporation. Finally, pathways for the practical application of Ag incorporation in chalcogenides for solar energy harvesting are discussed to enhance their efficiency.