Regulating preparation process of CuSb(S, Se)2 absorber layer for thin films solar cells via a low-toxic solution method

CuSb(S, Se) 2 (CASSe) is known to have great potential for copper-based low-cost thin-film solar cells due to its excellent stability, earth-abundant raw materials, and suitability for the low-temperature preparation process. In this work, CASSe thin-film solar cells were prepared using the green n-butylammonium butyrate ionic solution-based method for the first time. The phase purity, crystallinity , morphology, and electrical properties of films prepared at different conditions (sintering and selenization conditions) were studied. With the help of the XRD , Raman spectra , SEM, and c-AFM measurements, the optimal preparation of CASSe thin film is confirmed at 230 °C for 3 min (sintering condition) and 390 °C for 20 min (selenization condition). Using glass/Mo/CuSb(S, Se) 2 /CdS/i-ZnO/ITO/Al as the structure of the device, the corresponding thin film solar cell can be fabricated, which presents a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.14 %. Although the performance of the device is poor, our conclusions are meaningful in the development of CASSe material, supplementing the blank of preparing CASSe thin film solar cells by the green solution-based method.