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This study investigates solution-processed indium tin oxide (ITO-sol) and gold (Au-sol) contacts for all-inorganic solar cells. Solution processing reduces solar cell efficiency due to increased gold film roughness and lower indium tin oxide conductivity.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Renewable Energy
  • Photovoltaics

Background:

  • Solution-processed solar cells offer a low-cost alternative to traditional methods.
  • All-inorganic solar cells are desirable for stability and environmental reasons.
  • Indium tin oxide (ITO) and gold (Au) are common contact materials in solar cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of solution-processed indium tin oxide (ITO-sol) and gold (Au-sol) contacts in all-inorganic solar cells.
  • To compare the efficiency of fully solution-processed solar cells with those using evaporated contacts.
  • To identify the factors limiting the performance of solution-processed solar cells.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of CdTe/CdSe solar cells with different contact materials (evaporated Au/ITO, ITO-sol, Au-sol).
  • Characterization of solar cell performance under AM 1.5G illumination, measuring open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and efficiency (η).
  • Analysis of film properties using UV/Vis spectroscopy, optical profilometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

  • Solar cells with evaporated Au and ITO contacts achieved the highest efficiency (η = 3.8 ± 0.4%).
  • Replacing evaporated contacts with solution-processed versions (Au-sol, ITO-sol) significantly reduced performance, with the fully solution-processed device achieving η = 1.7%.
  • Characterization revealed increased surface roughness of Au-sol films and decreased conductivity of ITO-sol films as primary causes for reduced efficiency.

Conclusions:

  • Solution processing of contacts for all-inorganic solar cells leads to a decrease in device performance.
  • The reduced efficiency is attributed to detrimental changes in the physical and electrical properties of the solution-processed indium tin oxide and gold contact layers.
  • Further optimization of solution-processing techniques is required to improve contact quality and overall solar cell efficiency.