Rocking disc electro-deposition of CuIn alloys, selenisation, and pinhole effect minimisation in CISe solar absorber layers

in Electrochimica Acta (2012), 79

The co-electrodeposition of copper and indium from a pH 3 tartrate bath onto 4.8 cm × 2.5 cm Mo and MoSe2 substrates is studied and conditions are optimised for CuIn alloy films. Selenisation at ca. 500 ... [more ▼]

The co-electrodeposition of copper and indium from a pH 3 tartrate bath onto 4.8 cm × 2.5 cm Mo and MoSe2 substrates is studied and conditions are optimised for CuIn alloy films. Selenisation at ca. 500 °C for 30 min in selenium vapour gives CuInSe2 (or CISe). Mapping using the photo-electrochemical reduction of Eu(NO3)3 is used to asses the relative photoactivity as a function of position and surface treatment.Etching of detrimental CuxSe phases is investigated with 5% and 0.5% (w/w) aqueous KCN. The slower 0.5% (w/w) KCN etch allows better process control, and re-annealing at 500 °C for 30 min followed by further etching significantly improved the photo-activity. However, over the large area local pinhole recombination effects are substantial. An alternative low temperature film optimisation method is proposed based on (i) KCN over-etch, (ii) hypochlorite (5%, w/w) pinhole removal (Mo etch), and (iii) a final KCN etch to give good and more uniform activity. [less ▲]

Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin film solar cells produced by selenisation of magnetron sputtered precursors

in Progress in Photovoltaics (2009), 17(5), 315-319

New routes to sustainable photovoltaics: evaluation of Cu2ZnSnS4 as an alternative absorber material

in Physica Status Solidi B. Basic Research (2008), 245(9), 1772-1778