Electro-Optical Stability in Gallium Magnesium Zinc Oxide Layers for CdTe Solar Cells
In CdTe solar cells, the emitter electron density, bandgap, and band alignment can be tuned by adjusting alloy composition and stoichiometry in gallium magnesium zinc oxide (GMZO) layers, thereby allowing for critical front interface engineering. For example, computational modeling indicates efficiency can change from 7% to 25% by adjusting these buffer properties even with fixed CdSeTe and CdTe material properties. However, the GMZO as-deposited electro-optical properties can shift during subsequent CdTe deposition, CdCl 2 annealing, and solar cell operation. Here, we examine these changes by sputtering GMZO films on glass, and measuring the electron density before and after post-deposition treatments over a range of temperatures and different ambients. We then compare GMZO to SnO 2 and MZO. The addition of Ga to MgZnO is found to have profound effects on both the electron density and electro-optical stability that should be advantageous for CdTe solar cells.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1782595
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-5K00-75944; MainId:6520; UUID:84ff57d1-5d41-ea11-9c2f-ac162d87dfe5; MainAdminID:22412
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Presented at the 2020 47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 15 June - 21 August 2020, Calgary, Canada
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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