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Title: Effects of sodium and potassium on the photovoltaic performance of CIGS solar cells

Journal Article · · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]
  1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  2. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  3. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
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Here, the deliberate introduction of K and Na into Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorbers was investigated by varying a combination of an SiO2 diffusion barrier, coevaporation of KF with the CIGS absorber, and a KF postdeposition treatment (PDT). Devices made with no diffusion barrier and KF coevaporation treatment exhibited the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency with the smallest overall distribution in key current density-voltage (J-V) performance metrics. Out-diffusion of Na and K from the substrate, KF coevaporation, and KF PDT all increased carrier concentration, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency. Quantum-efficiency analysis of devices highlighted the greatest loss in the short-circuit current density due to incomplete absorption and collection. Secondary ion mass spectrometry illustrated the efficacy of the SiO2 film as a sodium and potassium diffusion barrier, as well as their relative concentration in the absorber. Introduction of KF appeared to enhance diffusion of Na from the substrate, in agreement with previous studies.

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; SunShot Initiative
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1358338
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5K00-68549
Journal Information:
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 7, Issue 1; ISSN 2156-3381
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 34 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Cited By (7)

Impact of heat-light soaking on potassium fluoride treated CIGS solar cells with CdS buffer layer journal November 2017
Revealing the beneficial role of K in grain interiors, grain boundaries, and at the buffer interface for highly efficient CuInSe 2 solar cells
  • Muzzillo, Christopher P.; Poplawsky, Jonathan D.; Tong, Ho Ming
  • Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Vol. 26, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.3022
journal June 2018
Effect of heat-bias soaking on cesium fluoride-treated CIGS thin film solar cells journal July 2018
Effect of Combined Alkali (KF + CsF) Post-Deposition Treatment on Cu(InGa)Se 2 Solar Cells journal August 2018
Surfactant modified Bi2(S0.3Se0.7)3 nanoflakes for photo electrochemical cell application journal March 2018
Structural Characterization, Optical Absorption and Electrical Conduction in Ordered Defect Compound Cu3In5Se9 of the Ternary Cu-In-Se Semiconductor System journal November 2019
Formation of unique nanocrystalline Cu-In-Se bulk pn homojunctions for opto-electronic devices journal July 2018

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CIGS
passivation
photovoltaic (PV) cells
thin films