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Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells on Molybdenum Substrates

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Ilvydas Matulionis ,
Sijin Han ,
Jennifer A. Drayton ,
Kent J. Price  and
Alvin D. Compaan
Ilvydas Matulionis
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606imatuli@physics.utoledo.edu
Sijin Han
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606
Jennifer A. Drayton
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606
Kent J. Price
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606
Alvin D. Compaan
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606
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Abstract

We report on the development of Mo/CdTe/CdS/indium-tin-oxide, thin-film solar cells grown by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. This is an inverted configuration compared to the conventional glass/tin-oxide/CdS/CdTe/metal cells. Molybdenum was chosen as a substrate because its thermal expansion coefficient and the work function are close to those of CdTe. We have achieved AM1.5 conversion efficiencies of 7.8 percent on 0.05 cm2 area devices. Our best cells had a nitrogen-doped ZnTe layer between the molybdenum and the CdTe for a somewhat improved back contact. However, we observe a significant rollover in the IV curve in forward current that indicates a back-diode effect. This implies the need for improvement of the electronic properties of the molybdenum - CdTe and possibly CdS - ITO interfaces.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 668: Symposium H – II-IV Compound Semiconductor Photovoltaic Materials , 2001 , H8.23
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

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References

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