Solution-processing of ultra-thin CdTe/ZnO nanocrystal solar cells

BI MacDonald; TR Gengenbach; SE Watkins; P Mulvaney; JJ Jasieniak

Journal article

Solution-processing of ultra-thin CdTe/ZnO nanocrystal solar cells

BI MacDonald, TR Gengenbach, SE Watkins, P Mulvaney, JJ Jasieniak

Thin Solid Films | Published : 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2014.02.020

Abstract

We have carried out a detailed study into how modifications of the physical, chemical and optical properties of solution-processed, nanocrystalline CdTe layers influence the photovoltaic performance of sintered CdTe/ZnO nanocrystal solar cells. Such solar cells are fabricated through layer-by-layer assembly, which is enabled through an inter layer chemical and thermal treatment cycle. In this manner we are able to fabricate working solar cells with sintered CdTe layers as low as 90 nm, provided that grain size is precisely controlled. We show that the extent of grain growth achieved during the CdTe sintering process is strongly dependent on nanocrystal surface chemistry and chemical environm..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Paul Mulvaney Author

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Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

B. M. wishes to acknowledge the University of Melbourne for MIFRS and MRS scholarships and CSIRO for a Ph.D. studentship. This work was funded through the Flexible Electronics Theme of the CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship and through the ARC grant DP110105341 awarded to J. J. P. M. acknowledges the support through DP0985325 and LF100100117.