Stephen Nwankwo

Development of environmental-friendly and alternative source of energy has become a global concern to supplement the fast dwindling fossil fuels. Photovoltaic solar energy conversion possess  the potential to contribute significantly to electrical energy generation hence, the need to find and harness cheap, earth-abundant and non-toxic light absorbing materials for solar cell devices. This research will investigate the properties of thin film solar cells based on tin sulphide (SnS) absorber materials using thermally evaporated SnS in combination with adequate buffer layers. The morphological, structural, chemical, optical and electrical properties of the SnS films developed will be fully studied using SEM, XRD, EDS, SIMS, Spectrophotometry and hot probe technique. The process parameters will be optimised to fabricate solar cell devices with world record efficiency while the progress made quantifiable by the increase in device efficiency, will make SnS attractive for manufacturers.

Research Supervisors

• Dr. Guillaume Zoppi
• Dr. Neil Beattie
• Prof. Robert Miles