Synthesis and characterization of NaSbS2 thin film for potential photodetector and photovoltaic application

Solution-processed semiconductors such as perovskite compounds have attracted tremendous attention to photovoltaic research due to the significantly higher energy conversion efficiencies and lower processing costs.However,concerns over stability and the toxicity on lead in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ create the need for still easily-accessible but more stable and environmentally friendly materials.Here,we present NaSbS₂ as a non-toxic,earth-abundant promising material consisting of densely packed(1/∞)SbS₂^-] polymeric chains and sodium ions.The ionic nature makes it sharing the similar dissolution superiority with perovskite,providing great potential for low-cost and large-scale fabrication.Phase pure NaSbS₂ thin film was successfully fabricated using spray-pyrolysis method,and its photovoltaic relevant material,optical and electrical properties were carefully studied.Finally,a prototype NaSbS₂-based thin-film solar cell has been successfully demonstrated,yielding a power conversion efficiency of 0.13%.The systematic experimental and theoretical investigations,combined with proof-of-principle device results, indicate that NaSbS₂ is indeed very promising for photovoltaic application.