Present Status and Future Perspective of Antimony Chalcogenide (Sb2X3) Photovoltaics

Their unique quasi one-dimensional (Q1D) crystal structure and rapid power conversion efficiency (PCE) evolution evoke tremendous scientific and technological interest in antimony chalcogenide (Sb 2 X 3, X = S, Se, or S x Se 1– x ) photovoltaics (PVs). Solution processability, strong photon harvesting, readily tunable optoelectronic properties, exceptional physicochemical stability, nontoxicity, and earth-abundance are their key features, endorsing Sb 2 X 3 as next-generation PVs. Benign, self-healing grain boundaries and defect-tolerance add to their merits, empowering Sb 2 X 3 films to act like pseudo-single crystals. These semiconductors are born for flexible PVs, as their Q1D crystal structures aid ultrahigh flexibility and bending tolerance. Sb 2 X 3 solar cells are efficient in recycling indoor and ambient light; thus, they are promising as indoor PVs (IPVs). Sb 2 X 3 PVs exhibit potential to simultaneously solve the stability and toxicity issues faced by lead halide perovskite PVs and the cost issues faced by mainstream silicon PVs. Presently, a record certified PCE of 10.7% has been demonstrated by Sb 2 X 3 solar cells; thus, they are emerging as a promising low-cost alternative to the commercially available PV technologies. This review presents a unique perspective of the fundamentals, recent breakthroughs, challenges, and futuristic developments in this field, offering a fundamental guideline for the rational engineering, design, and fabrication of high-PCE Sb 2 X 3 solar cells. This review highlights Sb 2 X 3 based, large area, tandem, and flexible solar cells and explores the commercial viability of this technology from generic power production to niche markets.