We hypothesized that sulfur-terminated perylene monolayers on silicon substrates would improve the solar energy conversion of Sb2S3 photoabsorbers. IR measurements confirmed covalent attachment of perylene to aminosilane surfaces. We investigated thionation reactions of surface perylene carbonyls; XPS studies concluded that the highest thiocarbonyl conversion occurred using P4S10. Sb2S3 was deposited onto various perylene surfaces for photoelectrochemical testing with the thianthrene+/0 redox couple. Thioanhydride surfaces facilitated improved photovoltages from deposited Sb2S3 and resulted in a world record Voc of –900 mV for Sb2S3 absorbers. The large Voc is due to sulfur-terminated surfaces aiding deposition, electronic properties of perylene, and use of the thianthrene+/0 redox couple.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Doiron, Curtis

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-030719-154643

Advisor

• Grimm, Ronald

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-03-07

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright