Article
Energy & Fuels
Dan A. Lamb, Stuart J. C. Irvine, Mark A. Baker, Craig Underwood, Simran Mardhani
Summary: This paper details the performance of CdTe photovoltaics onboard the AlSat-1N CubeSat in space, highlighting the potential and future development direction of the technology. The study shows that the cells are functioning normally, but there is room for improvement in areas such as stability and back contact processing.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sangsu Kim, Ju-Young Song, Deok Kim, Jinki Hong, Ick Joon Cho, Yong Hyub Kim, Jae-Uk Jeong, Mee Sun Yoon, Sung-Ja Ahn, Woong-Ki Chung, Taek-Keun Nam, Shinhaeng Cho
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Cl activation treatment on CdS/CdTe solar cells and found that a novel double treatment method combining CdCl2 dipping treatment and Freon treatment improved cell performance. While efficiencies of CdCl2 dipping treatment and Freon treatment were similar, there was a trade-off between VOC and JSC in both processes, with the double treatment showing higher efficiency. Through TOF measurement, it was demonstrated that the double treatment significantly influenced the sample efficiency.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. U. Yimamu, M. A. Afrassa, B. F. Dejene, O. K. Echendu, J. J. Terblans, H. C. Swart, S. J. Motloung
Summary: Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) thin films were synthesized using a less commonly used salt, cadmium acetate, as a cadmium precursor. The film's structure, optical properties, conductivity, surface morphology, elemental composition, and surface roughness were investigated using XRD, UV-VIS, PEC, SEM, EDS, and SPM. The results showed that the film prepared at a deposition voltage of 1250 mV had better potential application.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Thomas Fiducia, Ashley Howkins, Ali Abbas, Budhika Mendis, Amit Munshi, Kurt Barth, Walajabad Sampath, John Walls
Summary: Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells achieve high efficiencies through passivation of grain boundaries and grain interior defects. The use of selenium alloying in Cd(Se-x,Te1-x) material further improves the passivation effect, providing new possibilities for efficiency improvement and cost reduction in solar electricity.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
Muhammad Najib Harif, Camellia Doroody, Allina Nadzri, Hasrul Nisham Rosly, Nur Irwany Ahmad, Mustapha Isah, Nowshad Amin
Summary: In this study, the loss mechanism and performance limitations of the CdTe solar cell device were analyzed using a SCAPS-1D simulator, with a focus on the band-bending effect caused by the copper chloride treatment and Cu2Te layer formation at the back contact. The optimal energy bandgap range for the back surface layer of Cu2Te was determined to be 1.1 eV to 1.3 eV, resulting in a maximum conversion efficiency of around 21.3%. The effect of the absorber layer's carrier concentration on CdTe film thickness, bandgap, and operational temperature was also investigated, revealing the significant contribution of acceptor concentration to the device performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenbo Min, Yihui Chen, Yonglin Yang, Hongzhao Wu, Bailin Guo, Sirui Wu, Qichuan Huang, Donghuan Qin, Lintao Hou
Summary: A new phosphine-doping strategy was developed to enhance the performance of CdTe nanocrystal solar cells, resulting in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.41%. Phosphine doping was found to increase the carrier concentration, improve carrier mobility, and prolong carrier lifetime, leading to significant improvement in the performance of CdTe nanocrystal solar cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Imran S. Khan, Tursun Ablekim, Deborah L. McGott, Brian Good, Craig L. Perkins, Wyatt K. Metzger, Andriy Zakutayev
Summary: The study demonstrates a high-throughput approach to codesign chemical compositions in alloyed MgxZn1-xO/CdSeyTe1-y thin-film solar cells, with efficiency up to 17.7% related to elemental compositions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhaomeng Li, Jie Ji, Weiqi Yuan, Bin Zhao, Fan Zhou, Md Muin Uddin, Xiao Ren, Bendong Yu, Zhiying Song
Summary: The research explores the optimization of CdTe-PV/T in hot climates through the use of CdTe cells, experimental testing, and numerical simulations to improve performance, increase electrical energy acquisition, and enhance energy efficiency.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Maryam Gholizadeh Arashti, Ebrahim Hasani, Monir Kamalian, Lida Babazadeh Habashi
Summary: Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) thin films were grown on different substrates to study their crystal structures, optical properties, and electrical parameters. The films grown on transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrates showed better single-crystal characteristics and improved optical and electrical performance. CdS/ITO and CdS/FTO structures achieved higher efficiency in simulated solar cells, with values of 21.23% and 21.16% respectively. An optimized structure of Au/CdTe/CdS/ITO resulted in an efficiency of 22.80%.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Salaheddine Moujoud, Bouchaib Hartiti, Samira Touhtouh, Salah Fadili, Ali Faddouli, Fouad Belhora, Mohamed Stitou, Abdelowahed Hajjaji
Summary: This study investigated several effects on the performance of CuSbS2 based solar cells, including buffer layer thickness, carrier density, temperature effect, work function, and conduction band offset. Cadmium free solar cells were designed, with an efficiency of 16.21%.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Craig A. Poland, Noomi Lombaert, Carol Mackie, Alain Renard, Parikhit Sinha, Violaine Verougstraete, Nicky J. J. Lourens
Summary: The study found that cadmium chloride has higher bioaccessibility in simulated gastric fluid compared to cadmium telluride, leading to differences in cadmium accumulation in the liver and kidney. Cadmium telluride showed lower bioaccessibility, with feeding on doses not resulting in tissue cadmium levels above LLOQ, indicating minimal toxicity towards target organs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
C. H. Swartz, E. G. LeBlanc, C. Perkins, D. L. McGott, M. O. Reese, A. Nichols, T. H. Myers
Summary: For solar cells based on CdTe, we investigated p-type PbTe and SnTe as ohmic contacts. The results showed that the highest doped PbTe resulted in desirable band alignment with CdTe, leading to improved performance of the CdTe solar cells, primarily from increased fill factor.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sudarshan Kumar Jain, Vijay Janyani, Nikhil Deep Gupta
Summary: In order to develop highly efficient thin film solar cells at a reduced cost, the use of plasmonic nanoparticles for light management has emerged as a prominent solution. This article discusses the role of nanostructures as back reflectors in Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells and presents a thorough analysis of their optical performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed design with periodic nanostructures outperforms the reference planar aluminum back reflector and bare cell structure in terms of absorption and back reflection.
OPTICAL AND QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Semenenko, M. Dusheiko, G. Okrepka, R. Redko, S. Antonin, V. Hladkovskyi, V. Shvalagin, F. Gao, S. Shahan, A. Sarikov
Summary: This work designs flat solar cells with vertically aligned p-n junctions and uses luminescent down-shifting layers to enhance their efficiency. The influence of the average diameter of CdTe/CdS nanocrystals on the solar cells' efficiency is studied through current-voltage measurements and analysis of the nanocrystals' emission wavelength. The results show that a flat solar cell with vertically aligned p-n junctions and 4.0 nm diameter nanocrystals achieves a power conversion efficiency of 9% on an area of 1cm2.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zachary F. Lustig, Tushar Shimpi, Amit Munshi, Akash Shah, Blake Hill, Walajabad S. Sampath
Summary: This study investigated the effects of CuCl treatment process parameters on the performance of CdSexTe1-x/CdTe graded absorber photovoltaic devices. A statistically designed experiment was conducted to determine the significance of several factors, and regression models and mathematical prediction expressions were generated. Two out of the eight CuCl processing conditions yielded devices with an efficiency of 19%+, revealing new highly effective doping conditions for CuCl.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wang, Fabiana Lisco, David A. Hutt, Lewis C. R. Jones, Jake W. Bowers, Patrick J. M. Isherwood, Zhaoxia Zhou, Paul P. Conway
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2020)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sona Ulicna, Liam M. Welch, Ali Abbas, Mustafa Togay, Vincent Tsai, Tom R. Betts, Andrei Malkov, John M. Walls, Jake W. Bowers
Summary: This study discusses a novel strategy for Na-doping in CIGS absorbers through thermal evaporation of NaCl, leading to enhanced grain growth and improved efficiency of solution-processed solar cells. The effect of Na on device performance is mainly attributed to morphological changes and carrier collection improvements, showcasing the potential of Na as a dopant in CIGS absorbers.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Michael J. Watts, Peter Hatton, Roger Smith, Tom Fiducia, Ali Abbas, Rachael Greenhalgh, John M. Walls, Pooja Goddard
Summary: Cadmium telluride is a key material in second generation thin-film photovoltaic technology, with a high solar cell conversion efficiency achieved through activation treatment with CdCl2. Chlorine atoms concentrated at grain boundaries after treatment, and density functional theory calculations show their stabilization compared to bulk CdTe. These findings suggest that the passivation of single-particle levels by halogens is the primary cause of the efficiency enhancement in chlorine treatment.
PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
G. Parada, F. Korsos, A. Bojtor, J-W G. Bos, E. Don, J. W. Bowers, M. Togay
Summary: Hall mobility measurements of samples with high carrier density are challenging, but can be improved by modulating the magnetic field or drive current. In this study, a bi-modulation method combining magnetic field modulation and alternating polarity drive current significantly reduced noise and proved to be effective for measuring materials with high carrier density.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fabiana Lisco, Farwah Bukhari, Luke O. Jones, Adam Michael Law, John Mike Walls, Christophe Ballif
Summary: Glass-free, lightweight, photovoltaic modules have the potential to enable new uses of solar in building integrated and vehicle integrated applications. ETFE is a suitable candidate to replace glass as the front cover sheet material in module fabrication. This article reports on its properties and durability under environmental stress tests, as well as its abrasion resistance.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mustafa Togay, Rachael C. C. Greenhalgh, Thomas A. A. Fiducia, Tushar Shimpi, Walajabad Sampath, Kurt L. L. Barth, John M. M. Walls, Jake W. W. Bowers
Summary: Metastable behavior has been observed in highly efficient MZO/CdSeTe/CdTe solar cells, and different preconditioning procedures have been studied to recover device performance. The presence of recombination centers and defect levels at the MZO/absorber interface have been identified through temperature-dependent J-V and capacitance measurements. Oxygen diffusion from the MZO layer to the CdSeTe region after CdCl2 treatments suggests that MZO can function as a buffer layer due to the formation of oxygen vacancies.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Mustafa Togay, Rachael Greenhalgh, Tushar Shimpi, Sampath S. Walajabad, Kurt L. Barth, J. Michael Walls, Jake W. Bowers
Summary: Metastability effects were studied in high efficiency MZO/CdSeTe/CdTe solar cells, with different preconditioning procedures temporarily recovering device performance. However, this recovery lasted only 3 days under vacuum in the dark. Temperature dependent J-V and capacitance measurements revealed recombination centers and defect levels at the MZO/absorber interface. Previous studies have shown MZO degradation when exposed to atmosphere, while Hall effect measurements on MZO films showed no significant changes after preconditioning or CdCl2 treatment.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Vladislav Kornienko, Stuart Robertson, Ryan Maclachlan, Tushar Shimpi, Walajabad Sampath, Kurt L. Barth, Thomas Fiducia, Ali Abbas, Yau Yau Tse, Jake Bowers, Michael Walls
Summary: 3D electron backscatter diffraction (3D EBSD) was conducted on CdTe thin film solar cells with a graded CdSeTe (CST) layer, revealing changes in texture and grain size when transitioning from CdTe to CST. The CST layer showed near-random texture with weak (001) texture and a lower frequency of Sigma 3 grain boundaries compared to other types of grain boundaries. This reduction was found to be 15-22% from the CdTe to the CST layer.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Kerrie M. Morris, Rachael C. Greenhalgh, Vladislav Kornienko, Christos Potamialis, Jake W. Bowers, John M. Walls
2020 47TH IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2020)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
R. C. Greenhalgh, V Kornienko, K. Morris, A. Abbas, J. W. Bowers, J. M. Walls
2020 47TH IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jamie C. Lowe, Lewis D. Wright, Dmitry B. Eremin, Julia V. Burykina, Jonathan Martens, Felix Plasser, Valentine P. Ananikov, Jake W. Bowers, Andrei V. Malkov
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2020)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Liam M. Welch, Sona Ulicna, Mustafa Togay, Vincent Tsai, Andrei V. Malkov, Tom Betts, John M. Walls, Jake W. Bowers
2019 IEEE 46TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sona Ulicna, Panagiota Arnou, Ali Abbas, Mustafa Togay, Liam M. Welch, Martin Bliss, Andrei V. Malkov, John M. Walls, Jake W. Bowers
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2019)