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A Comprehensive Study of One-Step Selenization Process for Cu(In1-x Ga x )Se2 Thin Film Solar Cells.
Shih-Chen Chen1, Sheng-Wen Wang2, Shou-Yi Kuo3,4
1Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. cscbobo@gmail.com.
Nanoscale Research Letters
|March 24, 2017
Summary
This study presents a rapid, eco-friendly one-step selenization process for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) solar cells using selenium vapor. This method improves crystalline quality, eliminates defects, and achieves a high 11.28% conversion efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Thin Film Technology
Background:
- Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin films are crucial for efficient solar cells.
- Traditional fabrication methods often involve hazardous gases and multiple steps.
- Developing rapid and environmentally friendly CIGS fabrication processes is essential for commercial viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and environmentally friendly one-step selenization process for CIGS solar cells.
- To investigate the impact of using selenium vapor instead of H2Se gas on CIGS film properties.
- To correlate microstructural improvements with enhanced device performance.
Main Methods:
- One-step selenization of CIGS thin films using selenium vapor.
- Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to assess crystalline quality.
- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental distribution analysis.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology examination.
- Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy to study defect states.
- Current-voltage (J-V) measurements and external quantum efficiency (EQE) for device performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- The one-step selenization process yields CIGS films with superior crystalline quality at an optimal location.
- Selenium vapor selenization successfully eliminates voids and binary phases, improving film microstructure.
- Ga lateral distribution is correlated with blue-shifted PL spectra.
- MoSe2 layer formation leads to agglomeration.
- Devices fabricated with these films show improved carrier transport and photon utilization, achieving 11.28% conversion efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The one-step selenization process using selenium vapor is a viable, rapid, and eco-friendly alternative for CIGS solar cell fabrication.
- Microstructural improvements directly correlate with enhanced photovoltaic device performance.
- Understanding defect states through advanced spectroscopy is key to optimizing CIGS solar cell efficiency.
