Journal article 814 views
Improvement to thin film CdTe solar cells with controlled back surface oxidation
,
Stuart Irvine
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume: 136, Pages: 213 - 217
Swansea University Authors:
James McGettrick , Stuart Irvine
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.solmat.2014.10.044
Abstract
Thin film CdTe solar cells were produced by MOCVD, at atmospheric pressure, under a hydrogen atmosphere (i.e. oxygen-free). Window layer alloying with zinc (forming Cd1−xZnxS) and extrinsic p-type doping with arsenic (giving CdTe:As) have been used to improve photovoltaic solar cell performances, bu...
| Published in: | Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells |
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| ISSN: | 0927-0248 |
| Published: |
2015
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29569 |
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| Abstract: |
Thin film CdTe solar cells were produced by MOCVD, at atmospheric pressure, under a hydrogen atmosphere (i.e. oxygen-free). Window layer alloying with zinc (forming Cd1−xZnxS) and extrinsic p-type doping with arsenic (giving CdTe:As) have been used to improve photovoltaic solar cell performances, but as-grown MOCVD-CdTe PV cells are still typically characterised by low Voc (~620–690 mV). Post-deposition annealing in air for 30 min at low temperature (170 °C) prior to evaporation of the back contacts led to significant increases in Voc and FF. XPS measurements revealed back surface oxidation, resulting in formation of Te–O species. This was also the case for a device aged under ambient laboratory conditions. Extended annealing in air of a fresh device, for up to 180 min, continued to improve both Voc and FF. At longer annealing times the Voc remained relatively stable whilst the FF started to deteriorate. External quantum efficiency showed loss of photocurrent generation after excessive oxidation prior to back contact metallisation. Controlled back surface oxidation resulted in Voc values exceeding 800 mV and a best cell efficiency of 15.3%. |
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| Keywords: |
CdTe; Thin film; Photovoltaics; Open-circuit voltage; MOCVD |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
213 |
| End Page: |
217 |