Abstract

Studies on Synthesis of Silver Bismuth Sulphide and Mercury Bismuth Sulphide Thin Films for Solar Cell application

Author(s): Sachin A Padwal

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising candidate for the next generation of renewable photovoltaic sources. There are two types of semiconductor sensitized solar cells (SSCs): extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells and liquid-junction semiconductor-sensitized solar cells. Many semiconductor materials, including CdS, CdSe, PbS and Sb₂S₃ have been employed as sensitizers for SSCs. Most of these sensitizers belong to the binary metal chalcogenide systems. Ternary semiconductors are also important materials for solar cells. However, ternary metal chalcogenide SSCs have been much less explored because ternary semiconductors are more difficult to synthesize for there are three elements involved and the stoichiometry of the atoms must be correct.

            In the present review article, using the doctor blade/spin coating/drop coating/chemical bath deposition (CBD) and successive ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR), thin film deposition of TiO₂ on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate is carried out. Using chemical bath deposition (CBD) and successive ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR) deposition of thin films of AgBiS₂ and HgBiS_x onto fluorine tin oxide (FTO) and TiO₂ is carried out. In the present work, different characterization techniques are used to analyze the TiO₂, AgBiS₂ and HgBiS_x thin films. The characterization were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology and for cross-sectional studies, UV-VIS spectrophotometer for band gap determination, thickness measurement by weight difference method, four probes for electrical resistivity.

            Keywords: Thin Film, Doctor blade, Spin Coating, Drop coating CBD, SILAR,

                    photovoltaic.TiO₂, AgBiS₂ and HgBiS_x