This symposium will focus on the theory, materials characterization, and electronic performance for thin film chalcogenide-based photovoltaic (PV) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Chalcogenide-based thin film solar cells have emerged as a genuine alternative to traditional silicon-based cells and have a wider range of applications such as for tandem, indoor-photovoltaics or building integrated PV. The symposium will comprise well-established industrial technologies CIGS and CdTe, along with emerging or high-potential materials such as, but not limited to, CZTS, Sb₂(S,Se)_3, SnS, Bi₂S₃, MoSe₂, AgBiS₂, Cu₂ZnSnS₄, Cu₂BaSnS₄, ketserite inspired compounds and chalcohlaide materials. We will also explore the overlaps where similar thin film chalcogenides are used as the basis for PEC devices for water splitting or CO₂ reduction, a promising approach to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and produce valuable chemical feedstocks. By considering both applications in the same symposium this will allow valuable discussions about what the two technologies can learn from each other, by identifying common approaches and limitations. The symposium will cover techniques for optimizing material properties and device structures, improving light absorption and charge transport, as well as approaches to mitigate degradation and to identify limiting defect mechanisms.

thin film