NH 4 Cl Alternative to the CdCl 2 Treatment Step for CdTe Thin-Film Solar Cells

Major, Jonathan D.; Bowen, Leon; Treharne, Robert E.; Phillips, Laurie J.; Durose, Ken

Abstract

The CdCl 2 treatment is a key step in CdTe solar cell fabrication. However, despite its near ubiquitous use, the process is nonideal as CdCl 2 is both expensive and potentially hazardous to utilize in processing. In this paper, we report on the development of a NH 4 Cl replacement to the CdCl 2 process, which is a low-cost noncarcinogenic alternative. Comparative cells were fabricated and compared via C -V, J-V, scanning electron microscopy, and external quantum efficiency analysis. Further process optimization led to device efficiencies of up to 11.5%, achieved using this new process, with V OC values of up to 832 mV, which is relatively high.

Citation

Major, J. D., Bowen, L., Treharne, R. E., Phillips, L. J., & Durose, K. (2015). NH 4 Cl Alternative to the CdCl 2 Treatment Step for CdTe Thin-Film Solar Cells. IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, 5(1), 386-389. https://doi.org/10.1109/jphotov.2014.2362296

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 29, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Nov 20, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2018
• Journal: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
• Print ISSN: 2156-3381
• Electronic ISSN: 2156-3403
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 386-389
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/jphotov.2014.2362296