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Phase stability in Ag-Cu-In-Ga metal precursors for (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 thin films

Journal Article · · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States). Institute of Energy Conversion; University of Delaware
  2. Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States). Institute of Energy Conversion
+ Show Author Affiliations
The addition of Ag to Cu-Ga-In precursors for reaction to form (AgCu)(InGa)Se2 has shown benefits including improved adhesion, greater process tolerance and potential for improved device performance. In this study, metal precursors were sputtered with a Cu-Ga/In/Ag-Ga sequence with Ag/(Cu+Ag) = 0.25 and (Ag+Cu)/(Ga+In) = 0.90. These precursor layers are shown to be unstable, with a phase evolution during storage at room temperature revealed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). This behavior was studied in samples annealed in the temperature range of 60–150 °C or stored for up to 90 days. XRD analyses indicated the formation of (Ag1-xCux)In2 with Cu content of 28% and 36% for samples annealed at 100 °C and 150 °C, respectively. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and XRD analyses on selenized samples showed a uniform distribution of Ag and Cu through the films and a Ga accumulation near the back interface. Solar cells fabricated from the selenized films showed improved device performance in VOC and FF as a result of the precursor anneal.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0005407; EE0007542
OSTI ID:
1780903
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1549832
Journal Information:
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal Name: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Vol. 172; ISSN 0927-0248
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Soltanmohammad, Sina; Berg, Dominik M.; Chen, Lei
  • 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2014.6925250
conference June 2014
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Related Subjects

(Ag
Cu)(In
Ga)Se2
(Ag
Cu)In2
14 SOLAR ENERGY
Selenization
precursor stability