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Liquid‐selenium‐enhanced grain growth of nanoparticle precursor layers for CuInSe 2 solar cell absorbers
Author(s) -
Uhl Alexander R.,
Fuchs Peter,
Rieger Alexandra,
Pianezzi Fabian,
SutterFella Carolin M.,
Kranz Lukas,
Keller Debora,
Hagendorfer Harald,
Romanyuk Yaroslav E.,
LaMattina Fabio,
Yoon Songhak,
Karvonen Lassi,
MagorianFriedlmeier Theresa,
Ahlswede Erik,
VanGenechten Dirk,
Stassin Fabrice,
Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.2529
Subject(s) - chalcopyrite , selenium , materials science , nanoparticle , porosity , solar cell , layer (electronics) , explosive material , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , grain size , metallurgy , optoelectronics , chemistry , copper , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
Large‐grained CuInSe 2 absorber layers are synthesized using a non‐vacuum process based on nanoparticle ink precursors and selenization by rapid thermal processing (RTP). The use of hydroxide‐based particles in organic solvents allows for the conversion with elemental selenium without the need to employ explosive and/or toxic H 2 or H 2 Se gasses. Lateral grain sizes up to 4 µm are obtained through a novel RTP route, overcoming the inherently high layer porosity for previous nanoparticle processes. Morphological and elemental characterization at interrupted selenization steps suggests that liquid selenium can play a beneficial role in promoting layer densification and grain growth. Long carrier collection lengths in CuInSe 2 enable notable conversion efficiencies, despite the low minority carrier lifetimes of below 1 ns. Record efficiencies up to 8.73% highlight the potential of low‐cost, non‐vacuum deposition of chalcopyrite absorber layers with safe and simple precursors and processing routes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.