Study of CdTe/CdS-thin films by isotope dilution, neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry

Rosenberg, Rolf; Zilliacus, Riitta; Lakomaa, Eeva‐Liisa; Rautiainen, Aimo; Mäkelä, Auli

doi:10.1007/s002169600001

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…Etching: Then, before the deposition of molybdenum for the ohmic back contact, the surface of the low doped p-type CdTe, undergoes etching by a nitric-phosphoric acid mixture (N-P etch). This etching process creates a phosphorus rich and a Te enriched layer [15]. Soluble Cd compounds are removed leaving insoluble Te compounds on the surface.…”

Section: Solar-cell-like Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from thickness and/or grain size, the stability of the compound CdTe might also be influenced by the surface structure of the CdTe layers. During the production process of the solar module, the surface of the CdTe is modified by several steps [13][14][15], which alter the surface of the CdTe layers for solar modules. These steps may also change the solubility of CdTe layers either by protecting them or even by making them "weaker" against the attack of aqueous solution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Size- and Surface-Dependent Solubility of Cadmium Telluride in Aqueous Solutions

et al. 2021

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Due to the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and the scarcity of telluride (Te), CdTe-based photovoltaic modules have been under discussion during the last few years. In particular, the stability of CdTe in aqueous solutions is under debate. Here we show that the stability of CdTe depends not only on the pH of water-based solutions but also on size and surface treatment of CdTe particles. We compare milled module pieces with CdTe powders of different particle size. The leaching of CdTe is conditioned by the outdiffusion of Cd and Te at the interface between CdTe particles and the aqueous solution. The smaller the particle size, the faster the leaching. Therefore, milled module pieces decompose faster than CdTe powders with relatively large grains. We observe a dependence on time t according to t0.43. The room temperature diffusion coefficients are calculated as DCd ≈ 3 × 10−17 cm2/s for Cd, and DTe ≈ 1.5 × 10−17 cm2/s for Te in pH4. The chemical instability in aqueous solutions follows thermodynamic considerations. The solution behavior of Cd and Te depends on the pH value and the redox potential of the aqueous solutions. Chemical treatments such as those used in solar cell production modify the surface of the CdTe particles and their leaching behavior.

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Section: Solar-cell-like Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Size- and Surface-Dependent Solubility of Cadmium Telluride in Aqueous Solutions

et al. 2021

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“…It was also used to determine residual Cl concentration in CdTe following a wet CdCl 2 treatment [8] and to investigate the CdS/SnO 2 interface in solar cells [9]. Furthermore, qualitative SIMS was used for studying the effect, on the efficiency of the solar cells, of the etching procedure [10,11] and different materials used as electrodes on the CdTe surface [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of CdCl2 activation on the impurity distribution in CdTe/CdS solar cell structures

et al. 2005

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“…Using ICPMS and SIMS, Rosenberg et al [12] investigated the effect of the etching process preceding the electrode deposition on the CdTe surface of CdTe/CdS solar cells. They showed that the penetration of phosphorus from the nitric/phosphoric etchant (without an intentional doping) may be beneficial for the device structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A combined SIMS and ICPMS investigation of the origin and distribution of potentially electrically active impurities in CdTe/CdS solar cell structures

Emziane

Durose

Romeo

et al. 2005

Semicond. Sci. Technol.

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Quantitative, dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used to study the origin and distribution of impurities in CdTe/CdS/In 2 O 3 :F/glass solar cell structures. Particular emphasis was put on the potentially electrically active impurities that may possibly originate from either the CdTe starting material or the cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ) post-deposition annealing-induced activation, and that are likely to affect the device performance. Structures were grown using CdTe starting material of 5N and 7N purity, and were analysed by SIMS, both before and after CdCl 2 heat treatment. Depth profiles of the elements: Cl, O, Cu, Na, In, Sb, Sn, Si, Zn, Pb and S were made. Around 91% of the impurities detected by ICPMS in the CdCl 2 powder used were found to consist of species known to show electrical activity in CdTe. The origin of most of the impurity species present in the cell structures was elucidated, and it was shown that Pb, Sn, Cu and Zn were not coming from the CdTe or CdCl 2 starting materials. However, Na and Cl turned out to originate from the CdCl 2 processing. The potential interdiffusion of elements, such as S, Te, Si, In and Na from the layers of the structures was also highlighted and is discussed.

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Study of CdTe/CdS-thin films by isotope dilution, neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

Size- and Surface-Dependent Solubility of Cadmium Telluride in Aqueous Solutions

Size- and Surface-Dependent Solubility of Cadmium Telluride in Aqueous Solutions

Effect of CdCl2 activation on the impurity distribution in CdTe/CdS solar cell structures

A combined SIMS and ICPMS investigation of the origin and distribution of potentially electrically active impurities in CdTe/CdS solar cell structures

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