Advances in CIGS thin film solar cells with emphasis on the alkali element post-deposition treatment

Zhao, Chenchen; Yu, Sheng-Bo; Tang, Wei; Yuan, Xiaohong; Zhou, Hongfei; Qi, Tongqing; Zheng, Xue Bin; Ning, De; Ma, Ming; Zhu, Junyi; Zhang, Jie; Yang, Chunlei; Li, Weimin

doi:10.1016/j.matre.2023.100214

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 140 publications

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“…Thin-film technologies, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells [70], are gaining attention due to their flexibility, lightweight design and potential for lower manufacturing costs. When compared to CdTe modules with 50% transparency [65], CdTe semitransparent PV windows with 10% transparency showcased improved performance in working PV hours within the range of 500 to 2000 irradiance.…”

Section: Thin-film Solar Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

Xiao,

Lai,

Chen

et al. 2024

Coatings

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Buildings account for a significant proportion of total energy consumption. The integration of renewable energy sources is essential to reducing energy demand and achieve sustainable building design. The use of solar energy has great potential for promoting energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption in buildings. This study examines the applications of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in the field of architecture, demonstrating the huge potential of solar energy in building applications. To ensure a fresh and thorough review, we examine literature that encompasses the advancements made in the utilization of solar energy in buildings over the past decade. The key factors to consider in this study are reliability, performance, cost and aesthetics in real applications of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in the field of architecture, which have a significant impact on people’s acceptance of solar energy technology. Recent developments in feasible and effective optimization solutions for solar energy technologies are summarized. Accurate and convenient simulation techniques are also summarized for reference. The results show that the rapid progress of BIPV systems is fueled by advancements in three crucial areas: enhancing solar cell and module efficiency, reducing manufacturing costs and achieving a competitive levelized cost of electricity. The results can provide researchers with a reference for understanding recent technological developments in the integration of solar energy into buildings.

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Section: Thin-film Solar Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PV cells, PV systems and solar tracking systems [63] Manufacturing costs for popular PV technologies are discussed. PV modules, costs [70] The strategies, impacts and treatments associated with alkali elements doping in CIGS solar cells are discussed.…”

Section: Region Of Interest Reference Description Focusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

Xiao,

Lai,

Chen

et al. 2024

Coatings

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“…This suggests that ATS can theoretically achieve higher conversion efficiency than CTS. A comparison of surface SEM images of CIGS solar cells with power generation efficiencies of 16.3% [ 23 ] and 20.4% [ 24 ] confirms that the more efficient cells have larger grain sizes and no voids or cracks. Therefore, for high efficiency of solar cells, the necessary conditions for the thin film of the light-absorbing layer are the size of the grain and the absence of voids and cracks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ATS thin films have, up to now, been prepared using three different deposition methods: sputtering [ 22 , 25 ], spin coating [ 26 ], and electrodeposition [ 17 ]. However, all thin films have small grain sizes and numerous voids, which is not promising for highly efficient solar cell thin films [ 24 ]. The advantages of using the vacuum evaporation method include the possibility of high efficiency and low production cost.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of Sulfide Annealing Conditions for Ag8SnS6 Thin Films

Munekata,

Uchimura,

Araki

et al. 2023

Materials

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Ag8SnS6 (ATS) has been reported to have a band gap of 1.33 eV and is expected to be a suitable material for the light-absorbing layers of compound thin-film solar cells. However, studies on solar cells that use ATS are currently lacking. The objective of this study is to obtain high-quality ATS thin films for the realization of compound thin-film solar cells using vacuum deposition and sulfide annealing. First, glass/SnS/Ag stacked precursors are prepared by vacuum deposition. Subsequently, they are converted to the ATS phase via sulfide annealing, and various process conditions, namely, annealing time, annealing temperature, and number of steps, are studied. By setting the heat treatment temperature at 550 °C and the heat treatment time at 60 min, a high-quality ATS thin film could be obtained. Multi-step heat treatment also produces thin films with nearly no segregation or voids.

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“…[18,19] However, the large-scale applications of thin-film photovoltaics are strongly restricted by the use of toxic heavy metals and limited reserves of rare metals. [20,21] Fortunately, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as a typical third-generation solar cell have attracted particular attention for achieving low-cost and highperformance photovoltaics due to the facile fabrication procedures, high PCEs, low cost, and abundant raw materials. [22][23][24] More specifically, as the key component in PSCs, halide perovskites with a general formula of ABX 3 mainly account for the high PCEs of PSCs due to the suitable and tunable direct bandgaps, superb light absorption coefficient, and long carrier diffusion lifetime/length where A stands for monovalent cation including; B is metal cation including Pb 2þ , tin (Sn 2þ ), germanium (Ge 2þ ), etc.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead‐Free All‐Inorganic Cesium Bismuth Iodide‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells: Recent Advances, Current Limitations, and Future Prospects

Li,

He,

Ran

et al. 2024

Solar RRL

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Remarkable achievements have been made in the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a rapidly boosting rate of power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) from 3.8% to 26.1%. Nevertheless, the toxicity of lead (Pb) elements and the hygroscopicity of organic cations in high‐efficiency PSCs severely hamper the commercialization of this technology. Consequently, Pb‐free all‐inorganic PSCs have received increasing attention recently to resolve the above‐mentioned toxicity and instability problems. Among various Pb‐free all‐inorganic halide perovskites, caesium bismuth iodide (CBI)‐based perovskites have gained particular attention as light absorbers in PSCs due to the tunable/small band gaps, long carrier diffusion length/lifetime and superb sunlight absorption coefficients. Nevertheless, the PCEs of CBI‐based PSCs are still far away from Pb‐based organic‐inorganic counterparts because of the low structural dimensions and inferior perovskite film quality. Herein, the recent advances of CBI‐based perovskites as light‐absorbing materials in Pb‐free all‐inorganic PSCs are reviewed by emphasizing the distinct structural/optical/electronic properties and currently existing limitations. Additionally, several distinct strategies to boost the PCEs and robusticity of CBI‐based PSCs are presented. Finally, the unsolved key problems and future directions of CBI‐based PSCs are proposed, aiming to provide important insights for the further development of CBI‐based PSCs to realize sustainable, non‐toxic, high‐performance perovskite photovoltaics.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Advances in CIGS thin film solar cells with emphasis on the alkali element post-deposition treatment

Cited by 9 publications

References 140 publications

Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

Optimization of Sulfide Annealing Conditions for Ag8SnS6 Thin Films

Lead‐Free All‐Inorganic Cesium Bismuth Iodide‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells: Recent Advances, Current Limitations, and Future Prospects

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