SnS(2) Nanoparticles and Thin Film for Application as an Adsorbent and Photovoltaic Buffer

Energy consumption and environmental pollution are major issues faced by the world. The present study introduces a single solution using SnS(2) for these two major global problems. SnS(2) nanoparticles and thin films were explored as an adsorbent to remove organic toxic materials (Rhodamine B (RhB)) from water and an alternative to the toxic cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer for thin-film solar cells, respectively. Primary characterization tools such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy were used to analyze the SnS(2) nanoparticles and thin films. At a reaction time of 180 min, 0.4 g/L of SnS(2) nanoparticles showed the highest adsorption capacity of 85% for RhB (10 ppm), indicating that SnS(2) is an appropriate adsorbent. The fabricated Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) (CIGS) device with SnS(2) as a buffer showed a conversion efficiency (~5.1%) close to that (~7.5%) of a device fabricated with the conventional CdS buffer, suggesting that SnS(2) has potential as an alternative buffer.