Micro-sized thin-film solar cells via area-selective electrochemical deposition for concentrator photovoltaics application

Abstract

Micro-concentrator solar cells enable higher power conversion efficiencies and material savings when compared to large-area non-concentrated solar cells. In this study, we use materials-efficient area-selective electrodeposition of the metallic elements, coupled with selenium reactive annealing, to form Cu(In,Ga)Se2 semiconductor absorber layers in patterned microelectrode arrays. This process achieves significant material savings of the low-abundance elements. The resulting copper-poor micro-absorber layers’ composition and homogeneity depend on the deposition charge, where higher charge leads to greater inhomogeneity in the Cu/In ratio and to a patchy presence of a CuIn5Se8 OVC phase. Photovoltaic devices show open-circuit voltages of up to 525 mV under a concentration factor of 18 ×, which is larger than other reported Cu(In,Ga)Se2 micro-solar cells fabricated by materials-efficient methods. Furthermore, a single micro-solar cell device, measured under light concentration, displayed a power conversion efficiency of 5% under a concentration factor of 33 ×. These results show the potential of the presented method to assemble micro-concentrator photovoltaic devices, which operate at higher efficiencies while using light concentration.

Photothermal Synthesis of Copper Sulfide Nanowires for Direct Lithography of Chalcogenides on a Chip

“…In addition, the localized photo-induced transformation represents the basic principle for direct laser beam lithography, provided that a selective solvent for the CTC is available. Such mask-less lithography processes that convert a precursor material into a micropattern of the target material without the need for photoresist deposition and lift-off have been investigated and proposed for industrial use. , Potential applications for this sustainable fabrication of micro structured layers of copper sulfide nanocrystals and other chalcogenides include thermoelectric and optoelectronic devices and solar cells and photosensors. , …”

“…26,43 Potential applications for this sustainable fabrication of micro structured layers of copper sulfide nanocrystals and other chalcogenides include thermoelectric and optoelectronic devices and solar cells and photosensors. 44,45 ■ EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS CTC nanowires of composition [Cu(tu)]Cl•1/2H 2 O were synthesized electrochemically in a three-electrode configuration, as described in earlier work. 18 We used a 0.25 mm thick platinum foil (99.9% purity, Alfa Aesar) as a working electrode, a graphite foil (Alfa Aesar) of 1 mm thickness as a counter electrode, and a standard Ag/AgCl reference electrode.…”

Embedding intelligence in materials for responsive built environment: A topical review on Liquid Crystal Elastomer actuators and sensors

“…Rather than today's large and heavy PV panels that typically cover roof tops, a more useful option would be the miniaturized micro-PV cells used in arrays, often in combination with optical elements to concentrate the sunlight (Concentrator Photovoltaics, or CPV), which are a hot current area of research [78]. These can have a lateral extension as small as 0.2 mm [79] and be very thin and light-weight, making it easy to pattern louvers with such PV cells. Most importantly, considering the scope of this article, each micro-PV cell could be attached to the louver via an LCE hinge that lifts the cell with its active side out during the day, while illuminated by light, but folds it down during night, when it cannot generate electricity anyway.…”

Embedding Intelligence in Materials for Responsive Built Environment using Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators and Sensors

“…Rather than today's large and heavy PV panels that typically cover roof tops, a more useful option would be the miniaturized micro-PV cells used in arrays, often in combination with optical elements to concentrate the sunlight (Concentrator Photovoltaics, or CPV), which are a hot current area of research. [62] These can have a lateral extension as small as 0.2 mm [63] and be very thin and light-weight, making it easy to pattern louvers with such PV cells. Most importantly, considering the scope of this article, each micro-PV cell could be attached to the louver via an LCE hinge that lifts the cell with its active side out during the day, while illuminated by light, but folds it down during night, when it cannot generate electricity anyway.…”