Surface analyses combined with barrier-height studies indicate that Cu2O Schottky barriers made with low-work-function metals (Yb, Mg, and Mn) are essentially Cu/Cu2O cells due to reduction of the Cu2O surface and subsequent interdiffusion phenomena. The copper-rich region essentially determines the barrier height. As a result, efficiencies of Cu2O Schottky-barrier solar cells are usually less than 1%. It is concluded that to achieve significant increases in Cu2O cell efficiencies, MIS or heterojunction device structures must be utilized.
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