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Nature Energy (2026)
Regulating hydrothermal reaction kinetics using sodium sulfide achieves a flattened valence band maximum across the Sb2(S,Se)3 film, lifting the potential barrier for hole transport while suppressing deep-level defect formation and reducing trap centres. This strategy enables Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells to reach a certified record efficiency of 10.7%.
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Tang, R. et al. Hydrothermal deposition of antimony selenosulfide thin films enables solar cells with 10% efficiency. Nat. Energy 5, 587–595 (2020). This paper presents the hydrothermal deposition method that enabled the fabrication of Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells with 10% efficiency.
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Huang, L. et al. Temperature-gradient solution deposition amends unfavorable band structure of Sb2(S,Se)3 film for highly efficient solar cells. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn 63, e202406512 (2024). This paper reports a stepwise temperature-ramping hydrothermal process to control chemical reaction kinetics and suppress the unfavourable gradient in the valence band maximum.
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Chen, J. et al. Se-elemental concentration gradient regulation for efficient Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells with high open-circuit voltages. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn 63, e202409609 (2024). This paper describes a thioacetamide-assisted method to suppress the unfavourable gradient in the valence band maximum during the hydrothermal deposition of Sb2(S,Se)3.
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Li, J. et al. Defects passivation via potassium iodide post-treatment for antimony selenosulfide solar cells with improved performance. Adv. Funct. Mater. 33, 2211657 (2023). This paper introduces a post-treatment strategy using potassium iodide to manipulate the crystal growth process and inhibit the formation of deep defects.
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Che, B. et al. Thermally driven point defect transformation in antimony selenosulfide photovoltaic materials. Adv. Mater. 35, 2208564 (2023). This paper presents the defect transformation process in Sb2(S,Se)3 under annealing and its underlying thermal-driven principles.
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This is a summary of: Qian, C. et al. Regulation of hydrothermal reaction kinetics with sodium sulfide for certified 10.7% efficiency Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. Nat. Energy https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01952-0 (2026).
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Regulation of hydrothermal kinetics unlocks record efficiency in Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. Nat Energy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01956-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01956-w
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Nature Energy (Nat Energy)
ISSN 2058-7546 (online)
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