Efficient and novel Sb2S3 based solar cells with chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol)/electrolyte blend

Abstract

We present here a novel solar cell made of ITO/composite p-doped Sb2S3 + P3HT + PANI + TiO2/amorphous Sb2S3+P3HT+PANI+TiO2/n-doped Sb2S3 + P3HT + PANI + TiO2/solid carrier/aluminum as counter electrode. With spraying technique, the layers were deposited and the thickness of films was 1m. A new solid carrier of electrolyte was a blend consisted of chitosan (low MW), polyethylene glycol and electrolyte. X-ray diffraction was recorded to confirm the amorphous nature of the blend. Information about the surface appearance and roughness of a solid carrier dry and soaked in the electrolyte was given by atomic force microscopy. The solar cell was examined at very low and low light intensity (5% and 35% of sun, respectively), and at standard test conditions (100% of sun) using different light sources. The whole cell surface was 7.5cm(2) while the illuminated part was 3cm(2). Obtained results expressed for the illuminated surface showed the highest efficiency of 23.1% at 5% of sun while the efficiency of the cell was 2.9% at 35% of sun and only 0.75% at intensity of 100% of sun.