Optical and Electrical Characterization of Tin Sulfide

  • Okinyi, D.O, Gwaro, J.O Munji M, Njoroge, W
Keywords: Band Gap, Photovoltaic, P-N Junction, Solar Cell.

Abstract

Alternative sources of clean and more efficient energy are desirable to replace fossil fuels for sustainable development. Photovoltaic technologies have become major players in the development of renewable sources of energy using thin film solar cells. In this study, tin sulfide (SnS) films were prepared and deposited using chemical bath. The preparation of tin chloride was done by weighing different masses to obtain various concentrations in the range (0.05 - 0.25) M. Tin chloride was then dissolved by adding HCL (5mL). Addition of HCL made the solution to be transparent. 20mL of 0.1M NA2EDTA acting as a complexing agent was added into the transparent solution in the beaker and the solution stirred using a glass rod for 4 minutes. Next 20mL of 0.6M of sodium thiosulfate (source of sulphide) was added and the solution stirred for 4 minutes. Ammonium was added to the solution to make it alkaline and clean glass slides were vertically placed in the solution without disturbing it. Optical properties of thin film samples prepared such as transmittance, absorbance and reflectance in the range of 200nm to 1200nm were measured using UV-VIS NIR Solid Spec 3700 DUV Spectrophotometer in the range 200nm to 1200nm. The optical measurements were calculated using SCOUT software to determine absorption coefficient and band gap for all the thin films that were prepared. The sheet resistivity of all the thin films prepared were measured by using 4-point probe. The tin sulfide films were prepared at a concentration of 0.1M of tin chloride with a thickness of 62 nm used to fabricate the photovoltaic solar cells. The optical and electrical properties measurements showed that the fabricated solar cell has low transmittance, high absorbance and suitable narrow band gap for an absorber layer. Based on the optical and electrical values obtained, a p-n junction was fabricated suitable for solar cell applications.

Published
2022-11-10
How to Cite
Munji M, Njoroge, W, O. D. G. J. (2022). Optical and Electrical Characterization of Tin Sulfide. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING (AJSTE) , 3(1), 49-60. Retrieved from http://journal.kyu.ac.ke/index.php/library1/article/view/110