Improved Antimony-Based Chalcogenide Material Cell Achieves Record Photoelectric Efficiency

Published: Jan 27, 2026 16:39

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Scientists at the University of New South Wales in Australia have developed an improved antimony-based chalcogenide solar cell, with a certified photoelectric conversion efficiency of 10.7%, setting a new record high for this type of material. The related paper was published in the latest issue of the journal *Nature Energy*.
This material has four significant advantages: abundant raw materials and low cost, with no reliance on rare or precious metals; stable structure and longer lifespan—as an inorganic material, it is far more resistant to aging than organic or perovskite devices; extremely strong light absorption, requiring only a film about 300 nanometers thick to efficiently capture sunlight; and the ability to form a film at relatively low temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption and facilitating large-scale production.
Despite these clear advantages, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of such cells has struggled to break the 10% barrier since 2020. The latest research found that the issue lies in the uneven distribution of elements during the manufacturing process—sulfur and selenium are unevenly distributed, creating an "energy barrier" that hinders the smooth transport of photogenerated charges, leading to energy loss. To solve this problem, the team ingeniously added a small amount of sodium sulfide during the synthesis process, a modification that significantly improved charge transport efficiency.

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