Polyvinylbutyral-assisted synthesis and characterization of SnS mesoporous fibers via electrospinning process

Tin sulfide (SnS) has the potential to be used as a low-cost absorber material for applications in thin film photovoltaic solar cells. In this study, polyvinylbutyral/SnS (PVB/SnS) composite fibers were synthesized through a relatively simple electrospinning process. SnS mesoporous fibers were obtained from PVB/SnS composite fibers after sintering treatment at 500°C for 1 h in N₂ atmosphere. The SnS mesoporous fibers were then characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The optical properties of SnS mesoporous fibers were also recorded by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the synthesized SnS mesoporous fibers exhibited a single phase, stoichiometric composition, with good crystallinity, a size ranging from 100 to 200 nm, and a band gap of 1.49 eV. The as-prepared SnS mesoporous fibers are thus a suitable material to achieve visible light absorption in a thin film solar cell.