Systematic control of nanostructured interfaces of planar Sb2S3 solar cells by simple spin-coating process and its effect on photovoltaic properties

Herein, we report on the systematic engineering of the interface between the titanium oxide (TiO2) photoelectrode and the antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) absorber layer in planar Sb2S3 solar cells, which was much unexplored, on the photovoltaic performance. Due to simple spin-coating process for the preparation of TiO2 and Sb2S3 layers, it was possible to vary the interfacial conditions between the TiO2 photoelectrode and the Sb2S3 absorber layer easily. Unlike conventional solar cells using mesoporous TiO2 electrode, it was newly found that uniform and intimate contact between TiO2 and Sb2S3 layers affects not only efficiency but also reproducibility of planar Sb2S3 solar cells. Our results clearly emphasize and raise the importance of interfacial engineering for the planar heterojunction solar cells. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the DGIST R&D Program of the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning of Korea (17-BD-05) and the Technology Development Program to Solve Climate Changes of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning of Korea (2016M1A2A2936781)