Solar Energy, Vol.159, 88-96, 2018
Effect of growth temperature on large surface area, ultrathin MoS2 nanofilms fabrication and photovoltaic efficiency
Monolayer and few-layer two-dimensional (2-D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) demonstrate excellent semiconducting and optical properties that have made them promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. However, fabricating high-quality and highly uniform MoS2 nano films on a large surface area remains a challenge. In this study, an effective synthesis method for large surface area of 2 cm by 2 cm, ultrathin MoS2 nanofilms using direct sulfurization of annealed molybdenum (Mo) foil was tested. Because of the unique band structure, the MoS2 layer not only serves as a carrier transport layer but also as an effective blocking layer for the diffusion of photo-generated holes. By optimizing the structural characteristics of MoS2 nanofilms, a dramatic increase in photovoltaic performance was measured as high as 11.2% in the novel graphene/MoS2/n-Si (G/MoS2/n-Si) Schottky junction solar cells. Our approach offers guidance to the synthesis of large surface area, ultrathin MoS2 nanofilms and furthers their appeal for use in highly efficient solar cell technologies.
Keywords:Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides;Molybdenum disulfide nanofilms;Growth temperature;Schottky junction solar cells