Copper antimony chalcogenide thin film PV device development

Emerging ternary chalcogenide thin film solar cell technologies, such as CuSbS₂ and CuSbSe₂, have recently attracted attention as simpler alternatives to quaternary Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS). Despite suitable photovoltaic properties, the initial energy conversion efficiency of CuSbS₂ is rather low (0.3%). Here, we report on our progress towards improving the efficiency of CuSbS₂ solar cells using a high throughput approach. The combinatorial methodology quickly results in baseline solar cell prototypes with 0.6% efficiency, and then modification of the back contact architecture leads to 1% PV devices. We then translate the optimal CuSbS₂ synthesis parameters to CuSbSe₂ devices, which show 3% efficiencies.