Characterization and current-voltage characteristics of solar cells based on the composite of synthesized Sb2S3 powder with small band gap and natural dye

Abstract

Recently, we have reported the synthesis and optical and electronic properties of Sb2S3 nanowires with small band gap. In order to prove that the synthesized nanowires can be considered as a candidate material for solar cells and in order to obtain I-V characteristics, two very simple cells based on synthesized Sb2S3 nanowires/natural dye composite were fabricated. Exponential growth of the I-V curves after illumination revealed that the cells could work as electricity generators. A better current response was observed for the cell made of synthesized powder with smaller band gap. The efficiency of the cells is quite low, but this was an attempt to create a solar cell in order to better understand the properties of the synthesized Sb2S3 semiconductor and the processes that occur in the cell. (c) 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 512-516, 2016