Determination of photovoltaic parameters of cobalt phosphosulfide (CoSP) based heterostructure: a new candidate in thin-film solar cells

Abstract

This paper represents a theoretical analysis for simulating a pyrite-type CoSP-based (a new type of) solar cells by a n-CdS/p-CoSP heterostructure. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of the CoSP as an absorber material in the field of thin-film solar cells. Subsequently, a relation between material parameters and characteristics of the cell has been established. The bandgap values (1.15 to 1.65 eV) of CoSP are extremely suitable for fabrication of solar cell as anticipated by Shockley–Queisser theory. Though, the cell performance reduces due to increase of the buffer layer thickness. The maximum absorber layer thickness was about 2 μm, beyond this value the efficiency not significantly increase. The optical absorption reduces due to the increase of absorber bandgap, which leads to decrease in open circuit voltage and photocurrent density. The cooperation between these two phenomena results maximum conversion efficiency of \(\approx\) 28% at bandgap value of 1.15 eV. All the simulation results provide an indication for the feasibility of CoSP as a new photovoltaic candidate. Therefore, experimental data have been called for the validity of our predictions.