Non-vacuum processing of CuIn1−xGaxSe2 solar cells on rigid and flexible substrates using nanoparticle precursor inks

Influence of treatment conditions on chalcopyrite films deposited at atmospheric pressure

“…This is the reason why low-cost methods for chalcopyrite films deposition have been extensively studied [4][5][6]. So far, nanoparticle precursors have been one of the most successful alternative routes [7].…”

Analysis and comparison of different selenization routes for nanoparticle ink deposited Cu(In<inf>1−x</inf>Ga<inf>x</inf>)(Se<inf>y</inf>S<inf>1−y</inf>)<inf>2</inf> solar cells

“…Solution processed Cu(In 1-x Ga x )(Se y S 1-y ) 2 (CIGS) has attracted significant attention from both academic and industrial research due to advantages in material utilization, yield, throughput and cost reductions. Printing technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of CIGS PV module manufacturing by replacing vacuum deposition techniques.…”

“…The use of nanoparticle inks to print CIGS absorber layers has been previously employed, but many of the previous attempts use metal or metal oxide nanoparticles requiring significantly different selenization processes [2]. The implementation of chalcogenide nanoparticles capped with an organic ligand has already achieved 16.7% active area efficiency (13.6% total area) and is expected to reach higher efficiencies in the near future [3].…”

A new green synthesis method of CuInS2 and CuInSe2 nanoparticles and their integration into thin films

“…Low temperature and non-vacuum thin film deposition techniques using chalcopyrite nanoparticles and microparticles as starting material have been recently reported (Basol 2000;Eberspacher et al 2001;Raffaelle et al 2002;Kaelin et al 2003Kaelin et al , 2005Kapur et al 2003;Arici et al 2004). Several prototypes have been described, but none of these approaches seems to have been successfully integrated into commercial photovoltaic solar cells.…”