Water-Assisted Lift-Off Process for Flexible CdTe Solar Cells

Bista, Sandip S.; Li, Deng‐Bing; Rijal, Suman; Neupane, Sabin; Awni, Rasha A.; Jiang, Chun‐Sheng; Xiao, Chuanxiao; Subedi, Kamala Khanal; Song, Zhaoning; Phillips, Adam B.; Wen, Xixing; Ellingson, Randy J.; Heben, Michael J.; Yan, Yanfa

doi:10.1021/acsaem.2c03287

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…This has been demonstrated in epitaxially grown material (e.g., Ge, GaAs, CdTe) using ultrathin layers of graphene [67,68] or by growing on layered substrates such as mica. [28,69,70] In this case, it is important that the low-dimensional material be stable to subsequent processing. In CdTe, this may be a useful way to cleave Hysol 1C epoxy [125] 63 %3500 %2 Glass Most common, rigid, cured at room temperature overnight, UHV compatible Hysol 1C epoxy [125] 63 %3500 %2 Brass Same as above, brass handle used for difficult-to-delaminate samples Epo-tek H20E Ag-filled epoxy [126] 31 %5600 %1 Al shim Electrically conductive, cured at %70 °C overnight, UHV compatible EVA [127,128] 100-200 150 0.1 PET Flexible, relatively lightweight, laminated at %150 °C for %10 min, EVA must be low VA% between oxide/oxide interfaces (e.g., glass/TCO to release the entire device stack) where CdCl 2 does not permeate.…”

Section: Fabrication Conditions Influencing Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Achieving Successful Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermomechanical Cleave of Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells and its Applications: A Review

2023

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One of the primary research challenges for cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells is addressing its open‐circuit voltage (VOC) deficit. While theoretical studies and single crystal work show VOC > 1 V is possible, devices remain stubbornly low at ≈800–900 mV. As absorber opto‐electronic properties (e.g., hole density, carrier lifetime) are improved, device modeling suggests that interfaces become limiting. Because CdTe‐based devices are typically grown in the superstrate configuration, the back interface is relatively accessible for manipulation and study, while the front interface (i.e., the heterojunction region) is buried under microns of material and inaccessible. NREL has developed a novel technique to thermomechanically cleave polycrystalline CdTe device stacks directly at the front interface, enabling characterization and controlled manipulation of this important region. Herein, recent work, primarily from NREL, will be reviewed, including considerations for achieving successful delamination; key scientific discoveries about the front interface that have been enabled by this technique; and practical applications, such as flexible, low‐cost solar with high power‐to‐weight ratio.

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Section: Fabrication Conditions Influencing Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Achieving Successful Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermomechanical Cleave of Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells and its Applications: A Review

2023

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“…On the other hand, novel cost-efficient thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) have been developed to increase the PCE while maintaining reduced prices. Some of the most interesting candidates, in this regard, are CdTe, Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGS), polymers, and perovskite photoactive materials, which have been extensively studied thanks to their growing fabrication abilities and accelerated PCEs [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposal and Design of Flexible All-Polymer/CIGS Tandem Solar Cell

Alanazi

Sabbagh

2023

Polymers

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Tandem solar cells (TSCs) have attracted prodigious attention for their high efficiency, which can surmount the Shockley–Queisser limit for single-junction solar cells. Flexible TSCs are lightweight and cost-effective, and are considered a promising approach for a wide range of applications. In this paper, a numerical model, based on TCAD simulation, is presented to assess the performance of a novel two-terminal (2T) all-polymer/CIGS TSC. To confirm the model, the obtained simulation results were compared with standalone fabricated all-polymer and CIGS single solar cells. Common properties of the polymer and CIGS complementary candidates are their non-toxicity and flexibility. The initial top all-polymer solar cell had a photoactive blend layer (PM7:PIDT), the optical bandgap of which was 1.76 eV, and the initial bottom cell had a photoactive CIGS layer, with a bandgap of 1.15 eV. The simulation was then carried out on the initially connected cells, revealing a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.77%. Next, some optimization techniques were applied to enhance the tandem performance. Upon treating the band alignment, the PCE became 18.57%, while the optimization of polymer and CIGS thicknesses showed the best performance, reflected by a PCE of 22.73%. Moreover, it was found that the condition of current matching did not necessarily meet the maximum PCE condition, signifying the essential role of full optoelectronic simulations. All TCAD simulations were performed via an Atlas device simulator, where the light illumination was AM1.5G. The current study can offer design strategies and effective suggestions for flexible thin-film TSCs for potential applications in wearable electronics.

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Device Performance of Emerging Photovoltaic Materials (Version 4)

Almora,

Cabrera,

Erten‐Ela

et al. 2023

Advanced Energy Materials

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Following the 3rd release of the “Emerging PV reports”, the best achievements in the performance of emerging photovoltaic (e‐PV) devices in diverse e‐PV research subjects are summarized, as reported in peer‐reviewed articles in academic journals since August 2022. Updated graphs, tables, and analyses are provided with several performance parameters, such as power conversion efficiency, open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current density, fill factor, light utilization efficiency, and stability test energy yield. These parameters are presented as a function of the photovoltaic bandgap energy and the average visible transmittance for each technology and application, and are put into perspective using, for example, the detailed balance efficiency limit. The 4th installment of the “Emerging PV reports” discusses the “PV emergence” classification with respect to the “PV technology generations” and “PV research waves” and highlights the latest device performance progress in multijunction and flexible photovoltaics. Additionally, Dale‐Scarpulla's plots of efficiency‐effort in terms of cumulative academic publication count are also introduced.

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Water-Assisted Lift-Off Process for Flexible CdTe Solar Cells

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Thermomechanical Cleave of Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells and its Applications: A Review

Thermomechanical Cleave of Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells and its Applications: A Review

Proposal and Design of Flexible All-Polymer/CIGS Tandem Solar Cell

Device Performance of Emerging Photovoltaic Materials (Version 4)

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