Configuration analysis of SnS based solar cells for high-efficiency devices

• Published in: Optical and quantum electronics Vol. 54; no. 8
• Main Authors: Kumar, Atul, Prabu, R. Thandaiah, Das, Avirup
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cadmium sulfide; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Computer Communication Networks; Conduction bands; Configurations; Efficiency; Electrical Engineering; Heterostructures; Lasers; Optical Devices; Optics; Optimization; Optoelectronics; Photonics; Photovoltaic cells; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Solar cells; Zinc oxide; Solar cell; Conduction band offset; SnS
• ISSN: 0306-8919; 1572-817X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11082-022-03940-0

An SnS/CdS heterostructure-based solar cell has been simulated and evaluated for possible solar cell application. SnS being an earth-abundant, nontoxic, stable inorganic material with suitable optoelectronic properties, is potential material for solar cell application. A three-step optimization process has been undertaken to improve the performance of SnS-based solar cells. Initially, SnS/CdS junction is modified to a p–i–n structure by introducing an intrinsic layer in between SnS/CdS. The introduction of an intrinsic layer increases the efficiency from 1.32 to 6.85%. Further, the structure has been optimized by employing a conduction band offset at the p–n interface. Following this process, the efficiency further improved to 7.05%. Finally, the heterostructure has been optimized by adding back surface field in the device configuration. The final simulated heterostructure after all three optimizations shows efficiency enhancement up to 8.15% from its benchmarked 1.32% value. The optimized device configuration p + -SnS/SnS/i/CdS/ZnO presents a crucial guideline for experimentalist to fabricate high-efficiency SnS solar cells.