Recent Progress on Solution-Processed CdTe Nanocrystals Solar Cells

Abstract

Solution-processed CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) photovoltaic devices have many advantages, both in commercial manufacture and daily operation, due to the low-cost fabrication process, which becomes a competitive candidate for next-generation solar cells. All solution-processed CdTe NCs solar cells were first reported in 2005. In recent years, they have increased over four-fold in power conversion efficiency. The latest devices achieve AM 1.5 G power conversion efficiency up to 12.0%, values comparable to those of commercial thin film CdTe/CdS solar cells fabricated by the close-space sublimation (CSS) method. Here we review the progress and prospects in this field, focusing on new insights into CdTe NCs synthesized, device fabrication, NC solar cell operation, and how these findings give guidance on optimizing solar cell performance.

Diodes based on semi‐insulating CdTe crystals with Mo/MoOx contacts for X‐ and γ‐ray detectors

“…Recently, a significant improvement in the structural, electrical, and hence spectral properties of semi‐insulating CdTe single, crystals grown by THM, has been achieved . Molybdenum oxide (MoO x ) has found its wide practical application as an interlayer material for the fabrication of high quality electrical contacts to low resistance p‐CdTe like metals with large work functions . Moreover, MoO x possesses high transparency for visible light and relatively low specific electric resistivity.…”

Solution-Processed Efficient Nanocrystal Solar Cells Based on CdTe and CdS Nanocrystals

“…Thin film solar cells based on solution-processed semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have many advantages such as wide spectra response from ultraviolet to infrared [1], low cost, environmental-friendly process, and potential development to roll-to-roll large area production [2][3][4][5][6]. With the progress of nanomaterials fabrication techniques, various high quality semiconductor NCs have been synthesized and investigated.…”

Interface Engineering for Both Cathode and Anode Enables Low‐Cost Highly Efficient Solution‐Processed CdTe Nanocrystal Solar Cells

“…Solution‐processed CdTe nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have attracted much attention in recent years because they can be manufactured via solution processing with the feasibility using low‐cost roll‐to‐roll large‐area printing techniques under ambient fabricating conditions . The performance of CdTe NC solar cells has been improved rapidly for power conversion efficiency (PCE) from ≈3% to 8.54% through optimization of NC sintering and n‐type acceptor as well as device architecture .…”