Impact of selenization with NaCl treatment on the physical properties and solar cell performance of crack-free Cu(In,Ga)Se microcrystal absorbers.

In this study, we developed an ink using hexanethiol and Cu(In,Ga)Se microcrystals (CIGSe MCs) to make thin films doctor blade coating. Besides, crack-free thin films were obtained by optimizing CIGSe MC powder concentration and annealing temperature. Subsequently, single-step selenization was performed with and without sodium chloride (NaCl) surface treatment by carefully tuning the temperature.

Solution based synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se microcrystals and thin films.

Herein, for the first time, we report the synthesis of quaternary Cu(In,Ga)Se microcrystals (CIGSe MCs) using a facile and economical one-pot heating-up method. The most important parameters such as reaction temperature and time were varied to study their influences on the structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties of the MCs. Based on the results, the formation of CIGSe was initiated from binary β-CuSe and then converted into pure phase CIGSe by gradual incorporation of In and Ga ions into the β-CuSe crystal lattice.

CdS/CdTe Heterostructures for Applications in Ultra-Thin Solar Cells.

The preparation of ultra-thin semi-transparent solar cells with potential applications in windows or transparent roofs entails several challenges due to the very small thickness of the layers involved. In particular, problems related to undesired inter-diffusion or inhomogeneities originated by incomplete coverage of the growing surfaces must be prevented. In this paper, undoped SnO₂, CdS, and CdTe thin films with thickness suitable for use in ultra-thin solar cells were deposited with a radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique onto conductive glass.