Synthesis, structural, optical and electrical properties of CuxSbySz powders

The family of chalcogenides appears as promising candidates to act as absorbers in alternative solar cells in order to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. The five absorber materials, CuSbS2, Cu3SbS3, Cu3SbS4, Cu12Sb4S13 and Cu14Sb4S13, were synthesized by the direct fusion of the elements inside evacuated quartz tubes. The resulting ingots were characterized electrically by the hot probe method and by direct resistance measurement. These ingots were then ground in order to obtain very fine powders. Also their pellets were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, optical and electrical analysis. The X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy results confirmed the material's purity. Their band gap energies were determined by the Kubelka-Munk model, and found to be ranging between 1.24 and 1.47 eV. The five materials have P-type conductivities.