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Optimization of Post-selenization Process of Co-sputtered CuIn and CuGa Precursor for 11.19% Efficiency Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

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Abstract

In this work, CuInGa alloy precursor films are fabricated by co-sputtering of CuIn and CuGa targets simultaneously. After selenization in a tube-type rapid thermal annealing system under a Se atmosphere, the Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber layers are obtained. Standard soda lime glass (SLG)/Mo/CIGS/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO/Ag grid structural solar cells are fabricated based on the selenized CIGS absorbers. The influences of selenization temperatures on the composition, crystallinity, and device performances are systematically investigated by x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and the current density–voltage (J–V) measurement. It is found that the elemental ratio of Cu/(In + Ga) strongly depends on the selenization temperatures. Because of the appropriate elemental ratio, a 9.92% conversion efficiency is reached for the CIGS absorber selenized at 560°C. After the additional optimization by pre-annealing treatment at 280°C before the selenization, a highest conversion efficiency of 11.19% with a open-circuit (V oc) of 456 mV, a short-circuit (J sc) of 40.357 mA/cm2 and a fill factor of 60.82% without antireflection coating has been achieved. Above 13% efficiency improvement was achievable. Our experimental findings presented in this work demonstrate that the post-selenization of co-sputtered CuIn and CuGa precursor is a promising way to fabricate high quality CIGS absorbers.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (No. PCS IRT_15R18), Innovation Scientists and Technicians Troop Construction Projects of Henan Province (B20140004), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61376061, 11274093, 51572070).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan Province, People’s Republic of China

      Ke Cheng, Kaikai Han, Zhongcheng Kuang, Ranran Jin, Junxia Hu, Longfei Guo, Ya Liu, Zhangbo Lu & Zuliang Du

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    1. Ke Cheng
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    Correspondence to Zuliang Du.

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    Ke Cheng and Kaikai Han contributed equally to this work.

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    Cheng, K., Han, K., Kuang, Z. et al. Optimization of Post-selenization Process of Co-sputtered CuIn and CuGa Precursor for 11.19% Efficiency Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Solar Cells. J. Electron. Mater. 46, 2512–2520 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-017-5334-y

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