Stable n-CuInSe/sub 2/iodide-iodine photoelectrochemical cell

Patent · Thu Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:5845074

Cahen, D; Chen, Y W

In a photoelectrochemical solar cell, stable output and solar efficiency in excess of 10% are achieved with a photoanode of n-CuInSe/sub 2/ electrode material and an iodine/iodide redox couple used in a liquid electrolyte. The photoanode is prepared by treating the electrode material by chemical etching, for example in Br/sub 2//MeOH; heating the etched electrode material in air or oxygen; depositing a surface film coating of indium on the electrode material after the initial heating; and thereafter again heating the electrode material in air or oxygen to oxidize the indium. The electrolyte is treated by the addition of Cu/sup +/ or Cu/sup 2 +/ salts and in In/sup 3 +/ salts.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE85011597
• OSTI ID: 5845074
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ANODES
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SELENIDES
DESIGN
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
EQUIPMENT
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM SELENIDES
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS