Dye-sensitized solar cells with SnS as counter electrode fabricated via continuous spray pyrolysis technique
Firoz Alam a, Neetesh Kumar a, Viresh Dutta a, Upadhyaya H.M. b, Ivaturi Aruna b, Kishore Kumar D b
a Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Center for energy studies, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
b 2Energy Conversion Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences,, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom.
International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics
Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV14)
Ecublens, Switzerland, 2014 May 11th - 14th
Organizers: Michael Graetzel and Mohammad Nazeeruddin
Poster, Viresh Dutta, 123
Publication date: 1st March 2014

Tin sulphide (SnS) has been identified theoretically as a promising material for photovoltaic applications. Achieving pure phase and perfect stoichiometric SnS films on substrate is a challenge. In the present study, low cost surfactant-free tin sulfide (SnS) nanoflakes films have been deposited via continuous spray pyrolysis (CoSP) technique which is a relatively simple and versatile method of making cost effective large-area thin films as well as to produce nanocrystals. The structural, optical and morphological properties of surfactant free SnS  nanoflakes thin films have been studied in detail. In the present study, SnS  nanoflakes films deposited via CoSP technique have been utilized as counter electrode for fabricating platinum-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here we present a systematic study on the performance of solar cell characteristics viz.,Voc, Jsc, FF and efficiency of DSSC with SnS counter electrode (CE) as compared with the standard Pt CE. Detailed impedance spectroscopy measurements have been carried out to understand the device characteristics in order to improve the performance of the device. Our results shows that  nanoflakes film of SnS is effective for dye sensitized solar cells with the advantage of being cost effective for fabrication using CoSP technique.

    The surface morphology of SnS samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The high magnification image clearly shows that the SnS films synthesized via the CoSP technique have flakes like structure, which are randomly distributed over the substrate. The thickness of the SnS flakes are in nm scale and length is in micrometers. The surface coverage of the substrate depends on the molarities and surface temperature.

It is found thatthe short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of DSSCs based on SnS  nanoflakes film as CE is 11.05 mA/cm2, 0.46 V and 41 %, respectively, yielding an overall energy conversion efficiency (Eff) of 2.0 %. And the photovoltaic characteristics of DSSCs based on Pt as CEs is Jsc: 12.27 mA /cm2; Voc: 0.65 V; FF: 70 % and Eff: 6.56%. The lower electrical parameters of SnS as CEs compared to Pt may be due to the low electrocatalytic activity to reduce triiodide to iodide and as well as low electrical conductivity which affect the electron transport.


Fig. (1). SEM images of SnS nanoflakes film deposited by CoSP technique using thiourea as sulfur precursor. (a) Low magnification (b) High magnification.
Chen X.; Hou Y.; Zhang B.; Hua X.H.; Yang H.G., Low-cost SnSx counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem. Commun. 2013, 49, 5793-5795.
© FUNDACIO DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA SCITO
We use our own and third party cookies for analysing and measuring usage of our website to improve our services. If you continue browsing, we consider accepting its use. You can check our Cookies Policy in which you will also find how to configure your web browser for the use of cookies. More info