Cantas, A.Gundogan, S.H.Turkoglu, F.Koseoglu, H.Aygun, G.Ozyuzer, L.2023-11-112023-11-1120230040-6090https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2023.140070https://hdl.handle.net/11147/14021Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3)-based thin-film solar cells have recently attracted worldwide attention as an abundant, low-cost, and efficient photovoltaic technology. The highest efficiencies recorded for Sb2Se3 solar cells have been obtained using cadmium sulfide (CdS) as a buffer layer. The Cd-included hybrid buffer layers could be one option to increase device efficiency through more effective usage of light. Therefore, in this work, the effect of single CdS and hybrid CdS/zinc sulfide (ZnS) buffer layers on the photovoltaic performance of Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells has been investigated in detail. Sb2Se3 thin films have been deposited on molybdenum (Mo)-coated soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique followed by a post-heat treatment process. The morphological, and structural properties of Sb2Se3 thin films have been investigated by X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. To compare the device performances of single CdS and hybrid CdS/ZnS buffered Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells, SLG/Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS/ZnS/indium tin oxide (ITO) and SLG/Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS/ITO structures have been fabricated. The findings of this study have revealed a reduction in solar cells’ performance from η=3.93% for CdS buffer to η=0.13% for CdS/ZnS hybrid buffer. The change in the solar cell performance using the CdS/ZnS hybrid buffer has been discussed in detail. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAntimony selenideHybrid buffer layerMagnetron sputteringThin film solar cellsAntimony compoundsBuffer layersCadmium sulfide solar cellsEfficiencyGlass substratesII-VI semiconductorsLayered semiconductorsLimeMagnetron sputteringMolybdenumPhotovoltaic effectsScanning electron microscopySelenium compoundsSolar power generationThin film solar cellsThin filmsTin oxidesZinc sulfideDevice efficiencyHigher efficiencyHybrid buffer layersLow-costsMagnetron-sputteringPhotovoltaic performancePhotovoltaic technologySoda Lime glassSolar cell performanceThin-filmsCadmium sulfideArticle2-s2.0-8517298683210.1016/j.tsf.2023.140070