Roll-To-Roll Friendly Solution-Processing of Ultrathin, Sintered CdTe Nanocrystal Photovoltaics
[1];
[1];
[1];
[3];
[4]
- Department of Chemistry and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department of Chemistry and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States, Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
Roll-to-roll (R2R) device fabrication using solution-processed materials is a cheap and versatile approach that has attracted widespread interest over the past 2 decades. Here, we systematically introduce and investigate R2R-friendly modifications in the fabrication of ultrathin, sintered CdTe nanocrystal (NC) solar cells. These include (1) scalable deposition techniques such as spray-coating and doctor-blading, (2) a bath-free, controllable sintering of CdTe NCs by quantitative addition of a sintering agent, and (3) radiative heating with an infrared lamp. The impact of each modification on the CdTe nanostructure and solar cell performance was first independently studied and compared to the standard, non-R2R-friendly procedure involving spin-coating the NCs, soaking in a CdCl2 bath, and annealing on a hot plate. The R2R-friendly techniques were then combined into a single, integrated process, yielding devices that reach 10.4% power conversion efficiency with a V-oc, J(sc), and FF of 697 mV, 22.2 mA/cm(2), and 67%, respectively, after current/light soaking. These advances reduce the barrier for large-scale manufacturing of solution-processed, ultralow-cost solar cells on flexible or curved substrates.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities Division; National Science Foundation (NSF); US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308; AC02-06CH11357; SC0019375
- OSTI ID:
- 1819225
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1821589; OSTI ID: 1821640; OSTI ID: 1831422
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5900-79940
- Journal Information:
- ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Journal Name: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Vol. 13 Journal Issue: 37; ISSN 1944-8244
- Publisher:
- American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Advanced processing technology for high-efficiency, thin-film CuInSe{sub 2} and CdTe solar cells. Final subcontract report, March 1, 1992--April 30, 1995
Roll-to-Roll Advanced Materials Manufacturing DOE Laboratory Collaboration - FY2018 Final Report