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Title: Electrophoretic deposited TiO2 pigment-based back reflectors for thin film solar cells

Journal Article · · Optics Express
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.000A71· OSTI ID:1220712
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Applied NanoFilms, Brookings, SD (United States); South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  2. Applied NanoFilms, Brookings, SD (United States)
  3. South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  4. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  5. South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Applied NanoFilms, Brookings, SD (United States)
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Highly reflective coatings with strong light scattering effect have many applications in optical components and optoelectronic devices. This paper reports titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment-based reflectors that have 2.5 times higher broadband diffuse reflection than commercially produced aluminum or silver based reflectors and result in efficiency enhancements of a single-junction amorphous Si solar cell. Electrophoretic deposition is used to produce pigment-based back reflectors with high pigment density, controllable film thickness and site-specific deposition. Electrical conductivity of the pigment-based back reflectors is improved by creating electrical vias throughout the pigment-based back reflector by making holes using an electrical discharge / dielectric breakdown approach followed by a second electrophoretic deposition of conductive nanoparticles into the holes. While previous studies have demonstrated the use of pigment-based back reflectors, for example white paint, on glass superstrate configured thin film Si solar cells, this work presents a scheme for producing pigment-based reflectors on complex shape and flexible substrates. Finally, mechanical durability and scalability are demonstrated on a continuous electrophoretic deposition roll-to-roll system which has flexible metal substrate capability of 4 inch wide and 300 feet long.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Applied NanoFilms, Brookings, SD (United States); South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF), Arlington, VA (United States)
Grant/Contract Number:
DGE-0903685; 1248970
OSTI ID:
1220712
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5200-63989
Journal Information:
Optics Express, Vol. 23, Issue 3; ISSN 1094-4087
Publisher:
Optical Society of America (OSA)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 8 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (9)

Basic efficiency limits, recent experimental results and novel light-trapping schemes in a-Si:H, μc-Si:H and `micromorph tandem' solar cells journal June 2004
Triple-junction amorphous silicon alloy solar cell with 14.6% initial and 13.0% stable conversion efficiencies journal June 1997
High efficiency silicon–germanium thin film solar cells using graded absorber layer journal July 2010
Design of low emissivity systems based on a three-layer coating journal September 1997
Light trapping in Silicon-Film™ solar cells with rear pigmented dielectric reflectors journal July 1999
Commercial white paint as back surface reflector for thin-film solar cells journal August 2007
Modeling and optimization of white paint back reflectors for thin-film silicon solar cells journal November 2010
Optical intensity of light in layers of silicon with rear diffuse reflectors journal July 1998
Intensity enhancement in textured optical sheets for solar cells journal February 1982

Cited By (1)

High‐Performance Reflective Electrochromic Device by Integrating White Reflector and High Optical Density Electrochromic System journal July 2019

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
solar energy
scattering
particles
thin films