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

Patent · Mon Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5863168

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/sup 3/ salts.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4559282
• OSTI ID: 5863168
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ANODES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SELENIDES
DEPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
ETCHING
FABRICATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENS
HEAT TREATMENTS
INDIUM
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM OXIDES
INDIUM SELENIDES
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
IODIDES
IODINE
IODINE COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM IODIDES
REDOX POTENTIAL
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE FINISHING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS