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Back contact layer for photovoltaic cells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1469122

A photovoltaic cell structure is disclosed that includes a back contact layer that includes single wall carbon nanotube elements. The single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) back contact is in electrical communication with an adjacent semiconductor layer and provides a buffer characteristic that impedes elemental metal migration from the back contact into the semiconductor active layers. In one embodiment, the SWNT back contact includes a semiconductor characteristic and a buffer characteristic. In another embodiment, the SWNT back contact further includes a metallic characteristic.

Research Organization:
The University Of Toledo, Toledo, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
SC0006349
Assignee:
The University Of Toledo (Toledo, OH)
Patent Number(s):
10,043,922
Application Number:
14/421,718
OSTI ID:
1469122
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

Applications of carbon materials in photovoltaic solar cells journal September 2009