Antimony loss and composition-dependent phase evolution of CuSbS2 absorber using oxides nanoparticles ink

Abstract The earth-abundant material CuSbS2 (CAS) exhibits excellent optical and electrical properties as a potential absorber material for thin-film solar cells. However, the preparation of phase-pure CAS is still challenging due to the multi-phase characters of Cu-Sb-S system and antimony (Sb) loss during the annealing. In this work, an oxides nanoparticles-derived route is first investigated to synthesize CAS thin film. The Sb loss can be alleviated slightly by increasing sulfurization pressure. To control the film composition and phase purity, the effect of Cu/Sb ratios on the phase evolution is carefully investigated, and phase formation mechanism is then well established. Finally, the phase-pure CAS thin film with large grains is prepared with the sufficient Sb provided as a sacrificial material. An obvious photoelectric response of CAS thin film and its related solar cell are observed, suggesting a potential strategy for the fabrication of CAS solar cells from oxides nanoparticles ink.