Improved Efficiency in WSe<sub>2</sub> Solar Cells Using Amorphous InO<sub><i>x</i></sub> Heterocontacts.

Wang, Shifan; Yan, Di; Ibarra Michel, Jesus; Corletto, Alexander; Wibowo, Ary Anggara; Balendhran, Sivacarendran; Lee, Ha Young; Byun, Sujeong et al. · ACS Nano · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

van der Waals (vdW) layered materials have been shown to have excellent optoelectronic properties relevant to photovoltaics. Despite their promise, the demonstrated efficiencies of vdW material solar cells remain low and are seldom supported by statistics or spectral quantum efficiency analysis. In this study, we utilize a p-type WSe<sub>2</sub> absorber, forming a solar cell with a transparent front InO<sub><i>x</i></sub> electron contact, and a rear Pd reflector/hole contact. We fabricate multiple devices providing statistics for 10 devices with an average 1 sun conversion efficiency above 5%, among which a champion efficiency of 6.37% is achieved. This is the highest AM 1.5G 1 sun efficiency reported for a vdW material solar cell, with a current density supported by external quantum efficiency analysis. This cell is also shown to have near unity quantum efficiency around λ = 600 nm. This work provides support to vdW materials being considered as serious candidates for future thin-film solar cells.