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Close-Space Sublimation-Deposited Ultra-Thin CdSeTe/CdTe Solar Cells for Enhanced Short-Circuit Current Density and Photoluminescence
Published on: March 6, 2020
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Thermomechanical Lift-Off and Recontacting of CdTe Solar Cells
Deborah L McGott1,2, Michael D Kempe1, Stephen Glynn1
1National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) , 15013 Denver West Parkway , Golden , Colorado 80401 , United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 30, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a novel low-temperature delamination technique for thin-film solar cells. This method enables efficient lift-off of photovoltaic (PV) devices, preserving performance and enabling flexible applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Surface Science
Background:
- Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices have critical interfaces inaccessible for study post-fabrication.
- Understanding these buried interfaces is key to improving solar cell performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a controlled and reproducible method for delaminating thin-film solar cells from their substrates.
- To enable the investigation of buried interfaces and the creation of flexible, high-performance PV devices.
Main Methods:
- Laminating a polymeric backsheet to the solar cell device.
- Applying a low-temperature thermal shock (≤ -30 °C) for controlled delamination.
- Developing a theoretical framework to identify key process control parameters for diverse thin-film architectures.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated clean and reproducible lift-off of thin-film solar cells, including cadmium telluride (CdTe) devices.
- Recovered up to 80% of the original device efficiency after delamination and recontacting.
- Achieved a significant reduction in areal density (∼0.4 kg m⁻²), enabling lightweight and flexible PV.
Conclusions:
- The developed delamination technique facilitates the study of previously inaccessible interfaces in thin-film PV.
- This method paves the way for inexpensive, flexible PV with high specific power and improved device understanding.
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