High-efficiency Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells with MoO3 as a hole-transport layer

Antimony selenosulfide (Sb2(S,Se)3), an emerging photovoltaic material, exhibits excellent photovoltaic performance, low toxicity, and high stability with a broad development prospects. High-efficiency Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells use Spiro-OMeTAD as a hole-transport layer for a long time, which poses serious cost, stability and safety issues. This study applies molybdenum trioxide layer prepared by electron-beam evaporation as an alternative to Spiro-OMeTAD, improving cell stability and reducing the manufacturing cost. Device performance characterization and analysis reveals the significant role of MoO3 in enhancing charge collection, increasing built-in voltage, and inhibiting carrier recombination. Finally, Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells with a photoelectric conversion efficiency value of 7.20% were obtained based on the FTO/CdS/Sb2(S,Se)3/MoO3/Au structure. This work could lay the foundation for the further development of stable and efficient fully inorganic Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. [Display omitted] •Stable electron beam evaporation-prepared MoO3 hole-transport layer for Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells for the first time.•MoO3 layer can effectively enhance the hole mobility and inhibit the carrier recombination of the device.•Sb2(S,Se)3 with MoO3 HTL achieved a 7.2 % efficiency based on a high current density of 16.53 mA cm-2.