Article
Energy & Fuels
Jan Keller, Hisham Aboulfadl, Lars Stolt, Olivier Donzel-Gargand, Marika Edoff
Summary: This contribution investigates the potential of RbF postdeposition treatment on ACIGS solar cells. It is found that while the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density can be improved, the fill factor decreases. However, for some stoichiometric samples, the drop in fill factor can be avoided, resulting in higher efficiencies. Extensive material analysis reveals that the treatment leads to modifications in the absorber layer and restricted diffusion of rubidium. A thin RbInSe2 surface layer is also suggested.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ke Cheng, Xingfen Shen, Jingling Liu, Xinsheng Liu, Zuliang Du
Summary: A sequential route for low-cost fabrication of high quality Ag-alloyed CIGS absorbers is reported, where Ag-alloying is introduced into the CuInGa precursor to widen the band gap and improve the crystallinity of the ACIGS absorbers. Different Ag thin layer incorporation locations are schemed for deep understanding the band gap energy and crystallinity regulation mechanism of Ag alloying, leading to a notable improvement in Voc. Finally, the ACIGS absorbers are sulfurized to achieve a highest power conversion efficiency of 13.01%.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bowen Liu, Xinan Shi, Wei Shao, Jiaxin Gao, Chenxi Zhao, Fuyan Chen, Dongdong Shen, Bingsuo Zou, Daocheng Pan
Summary: A novel and green ionic liquid-assisted ink is developed for the fabrication of highly efficient CIGSSe solar cells by inkjet printing. Compared to the conventional vacuum-based deposition and spin-coating solution methods, inkjet printing technology can remarkably improve the material utilization of copper indium gallium sulfur selenium (CIGS) and achieve a flat and continuous deposition of CIGS thin film. The inkjet-printed CIGSSe solar cells show an encouraging power conversion efficiency of 15.22%.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joo-Hyun Kim, Hyemi Han, Min Kyu Kim, Jongtae Ahn, Do Kyung Hwang, Tae Joo Shin, Byoung Koun Min, Jung Ah Lim
Summary: In this study, a solution-processed near-infrared photodetector based on CIGS was successfully developed, with the incorporation of potassium promoting Se uptake in the film to improve light absorption and charge carrier separation. The addition of potassium also enhanced chalcopyrite crystalline grain growth, increasing charge carrier mobility and ultimately improving photosensitivity and external quantum efficiency of the photodetector.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shaohong Yang, Wencai Zhou, Jingjing Qu, Linrui Zhang, Xiaoyu Lv, Zilong Zheng, Xiaoqing Chen, Hui Yan, Ming Zhao, Daming Zhuang
Summary: Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)(2) has distinct advantages as a photovoltaic material, allowing independent tuning of its conduction and valence bands, as well as its composition distribution. Through calculations and simulations, we achieved high-efficiency Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)(2) solar cells with an efficiency of 23.29%, providing an understanding of tunable engineered band energy research.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Aubin JC. M. Prot, Michele Melchiorre, Felix Dingwell, Anastasia Zelenina, Hossam Elanzeery, Alberto Lomuscio, Thomas Dalibor, Maxim Guc, Robert Fonoll-Rubio, Victor Izquierdo-Roca, Gunnar Kusch, Rachel A. Oliver, Susanne Siebentritt
Summary: The article discusses the achievement of record efficiency in chalcopyrite-based solar cells using a gallium gradient and reveals non-radiative recombination issues at the back contacts of industrial absorbers. The study proposes a model where discrete bandgap phases interlace to form an apparent gradient throughout the thickness of the absorber.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Julius Kruip, Ihab Kardosh, Tristan Koehler, Yao Gao, Martina Schmid
Summary: By replacing Cu with Ag and increasing the Ga content, we successfully fabricated ACIGSe absorbers with band gaps ranging from 1.27-1.55 eV, which is essential for semitransparent applications in solar cell fabrication. The changes in crystalline properties were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, which showed shifts in peak positions. Higher band gaps also resulted in increased open circuit voltages and decreased short circuit current densities in the related devices.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lung-Hsin Tu, Chung-Hao Cai, Chih-Huang Lai
Summary: By forming the ordered vacancy compound phase at the beginning of the selenization process and controlling the Se partial pressure, interlayer TiN thickness, and carrier concentration, a high efficiency of CIGSe solar cells has been achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christopher P. Muzzillo, Stephen Glynn, Glenn Teeter, Lorelle M. Mansfield
Summary: This study investigates the effect of KF post-deposition treatments (PDTs) on the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) solar cells using air-free transfer of multiple samples. The results show that KF PDTs can improve cell efficiency, enhance minority carrier lifetime, and modify the alignment of the surface valence band.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Patrick Pearson, Jan Keller, Lars Stolt, Charlotte Platzer Bjorkman
Summary: The stability of thin-film solar cells in different compositions within the (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se-2 material system is evaluated. It is found that Ag-free CuInSe2 is relatively stable, while Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 and high-Ga (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se-2 suffer from degradation. Ga-free (Ag,Cu)InSe2 also experiences a decrease in voltage and fill factor. Furthermore, the addition of Ag reduces doping and increases the response to treatments.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI B-BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunhai Zhao, Shengjie Yuan, Qianqian Chang, Zhengji Zhou, Dongxing Kou, Wenhui Zhou, Yafang Qi, Sixin Wu
Summary: This study successfully controlled the formation of OVC phase on the surface of CIGS, and investigated the effects of OVC content on device performance. CIGS devices with optimized OVC content exhibited better performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Shayeri Das, Prabhat Ranjan, Kumar Gaurav, Praveen K. Surolia, Tanmoy Chakraborty
Summary: This report utilizes Density Functional Theory technique to investigate the structure and physico-chemical properties of XGaY2 (X = Cu, Ag, Au; Y= S, Se, Te), which are chalcopyrite-type semi-conducting materials. Results show that AuGaS2 is the most stable system and materials with low HOMO-LUMO gap have higher refractive indices and dielectric constants. The HOMO-LUMO gap, optical electronegativity, vibrational frequency, infrared and Raman spectra decrease gradually from sulphur to selenium to tellurium.
PHYSICA B-CONDENSED MATTER
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Md Salahuddin Mina, Enkhjargal Enkhbayar, Namuundari Otgontamir, SeongYeon Kim, JunHo Kim
Summary: In this study, narrow band gap CIGSSe solar cells were investigated with and without alkali treatment. The power conversion efficiency of the solar cell was significantly enhanced through rubidium postdeposition treatment, which facilitated defect passivation and downshift of the valence band maximum. This treatment resulted in a high efficiency tandem solar cell with a PCE of -15% and an energy band gap of less than 1.1 eV.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sunil Suresh, David J. Rokke, Amandine A. Drew, Essam Alruqobah, Rakesh Agrawal, Alexander R. Uhl
Summary: This article reviews the extrinsic doping concepts for CIGSSe-type absorbers fabricated by ink-based deposition routes, compares the performance of select high-efficiency ink-based devices, and offers an outlook for future process development. It suggests that the mechanisms of ink-based absorbers are fundamentally different from vacuum-based processes and require further investigation.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Shangguan, Cuixia Yan, Wenqing Li, Chen Long, Liming Liu, Chenchen Qi, Qiuyang Li, Yan Zhou, Yurou Guan, Lei Gao, Jinming Cai
Summary: A new class of two-dimensional semiconductor materials with a wide band gap, excellent stability, and high mobility has been discovered. These materials have great potential for applications in optics and electronic devices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kristina von Fieandt, Eirini-Maria Paschalidou, Aishwarya Srinath, Pavel Soucek, Lars Riekehr, Leif Nyholm, Erik Lewin
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Sarmad Naim Katea, Lars Riekehr, Gunnar Westin
Summary: Carbothermal reduction of Zr-sucrose gels powders into nano-phase ZrC or ZrC-Zr(C, O) core-shell powders was achieved by using a composite of 2-4 nm sized ZrO2 and amorphous carbon. The resulting products varied in morphology and structure depending on the sucrose-carbon:Zr ratio in the gels.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Faraz Khavari, Jan Keller, Jes K. Larsen, Kostiantyn V. Sopiha, Tobias Torndahl, Marika Edoff
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Louis Gouillart, Andrea Cattoni, Wei-Chao Chen, Julie Goffard, Lars Riekehr, Jan Keller, Marie Jubault, Negar Naghavi, Marika Edoff, Stephane Collin
Summary: The research investigates the design of ohmic and reflective back contacts for ultrathin CIGS solar cells, improving efficiency and short-circuit current density by carefully analyzing diffusion mechanisms and reactions in the interfaces and CIGS layer, addressing the detrimental reaction between CIGS and the top ITO layer.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hisham Aboulfadl, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Jan Keller, Jes K. Larsen, Jonathan J. S. Scragg, Clas Persson, Mattias Thuvander, Marika Edoff
Summary: Through experimental and theoretical studies, it has been found that there is a clear trend of increased alkali bulk solubility with the silver concentration in Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 absorbers, which can enhance the performance of photovoltaic devices.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jes K. Larsen, Olivier Donzel-Gargand, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Jan Keller, Kristina Lindgren, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Marika Edoff
Summary: The compound AgGaSe2 is a potential wide gap solar cell material, but its tolerance to off-stoichiometry and formation of secondary phases during deposition can significantly affect device performance. X-ray diffraction is effective in distinguishing different phases in the material system, while Raman spectroscopy is less successful in identifying secondary phases. Devices with optimized processing conditions achieved the highest reported efficiency of up to 5.8% for AgGaSe2 solar cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kostiantyn Sopiha, Oleksandr Malyi, Clas Persson, Ping Wu
Summary: The study investigated charged oxygen-related species on three naturally occurring surfaces of SnO2 and found that upon adsorption of atmospheric oxygen, superoxide O2- and doubly ionized O2- can spontaneously form, with the latter being identified as the source of sensing response. The doubly ionized O2- species induces a large displacement of surface Sn, resembling the coordination of Sn2+ in SnO, which is necessary for stabilizing O2- and activating metal-oxide surfaces for gas sensing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yang Liu, Dangguo Yang, Lars Riekehr, Hakan Engqvist, Le Fu, Wei Xia
Summary: The study successfully prepared ZrO2-SiO2 nano crystalline glass-ceramics with a combination of mechanical properties and high translucency. By varying compositions and sintering temperatures, glass-ceramics with high flexural strength and fracture toughness were obtained. This material has great potential for a wide range of applications in the future.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Faraz Khavari, Nishant Saini, Jan Keller, Jes K. Larsen, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Natalia M. Martin, Tobias Torndahl, Charlotte Platzer Bjorkman, Marika Edoff
Summary: A new method of sulfur grading in CuInSe2 thin-film solar absorbers is proposed by introducing an ultrathin sacrificial CuInS2 layer. The sulfur grading phenomenon is observed in the Se- and SeS-treated samples, and the formation of mixed CuIn(S,Se)2 phase is confirmed. The treated bilayer samples show higher optical bandgap and V-OC, but exhibit lower efficiency due to the blocking effect of internal electron barrier.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kostiantyn Sopiha, Corrado Comparotto, Jose A. Marquez, Jonathan J. S. Scragg
Summary: Chalcogenide perovskites are emerging as highly stable, earth abundant, and non-toxic candidates for various energy conversion applications, particularly photovoltaics. The existing literature and interesting optoelectronic and transport properties of chalcogenide perovskites support the need for further research and development in this area.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jes K. Larsen, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Clas Persson, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Marika Edoff
Summary: This contribution investigates the stable and metastable phases forming in CuInS2 (CIS) thin films, which has gained renewed interest due to its potential application in tandem solar cells. The study utilizes a combined theoretical and experimental approach, including ab initio calculations, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and Raman spectra analysis. Multiple CIS structures with different lattices are identified, and their XRD/Raman patterns are shown to have overlapping features. Thin films with different compositions are synthesized, and it is found that several CIS polymorphs are formed. Additionally, CuIn5S8 and NaInS2 compounds accommodating In-excess are found alongside the CIS polymorphs. The study emphasizes the importance of tight composition control for stabilizing the metastable polymorphs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kostiantyn Sopiha, Jes K. Larsen, Jan Keller, Marika Edoff, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Jonathan J. S. Scragg
Summary: This study evaluates the tolerance to off-stoichiometry of thin-film photovoltaic materials in the I-III-VI systems, identifies two empirical principles for recognizing solar energy materials with high tolerance to off-stoichiometry, and discusses practical implications for the deposition of I-III-VI absorbers based on computational results and experimental findings.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katharina Rudisch, Alexandra Davydova, Lars Riekehr, Joakim Adolfsson, Luciano Quaglia Casal, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Jonathan Scragg
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Corrado Comparotto, Alexandra Davydova, Tove Ericson, Lars Riekehr, Marcos Moro, Tomas Kubart, Jonathan J. S. Scragg
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2020)
