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Use of a precursor solution to fill the gaps between indium tin oxide nanorods, for preparation of three-dimensional CuInGaS2 thin-film solar cells

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Abstract

We have fabricated a three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured indium tin oxide (ITO) film in which the spaces were filled by use of a Cu, In, and Ga precursor solution. This solution has potential for use in bulk heterojunction CuIn x Ga1−x S2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells. ITO nanorod films ~700 nm thick on glass substrates were synthesized by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering deposition. To ensure complete filling of the gaps in ITO nanorod films, a polymeric binder-free precursor solution was used. In addition, a two-step heating process (oxidation and sulfurization) was used after coating of the precursor solution to make a CIGS absorber film with a minimum of carbon impurities. Superstrate-type solar cell devices with 3D nanostructured films (CIGS–ITO) had a photovoltaic efficiency of 1.11 % despite the absence of a buffer layer (e.g. CdS) between the CIGS and ITO.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant (NRF-2009-C1AAA001-0092935 and 2011-0017449) and partly by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean Government (MEST)” (2012, University–Institute Cooperation Program).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-791, Republic of Korea

    Van Ben Chu, Jin Woo Cho, Se Jin Park & Byoung Koun Min

  2. University of Science and Technology, 176 Gajeong-dong, 217 Gajeong Yuseong-gu, Deajeon, 305-350, Republic of Korea

    Van Ben Chu & Byoung Koun Min

  3. Green school, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-713, Republic of Korea

    Byoung Koun Min

  4. Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-702, Republic of Korea

    Hoo Keun Park & Young Rag Do

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  1. Van Ben Chu
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  2. Jin Woo Cho
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  3. Se Jin Park
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  4. Hoo Keun Park
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  5. Young Rag Do
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  6. Byoung Koun Min
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Correspondence to Byoung Koun Min.

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Chu, V.B., Cho, J.W., Park, S.J. et al. Use of a precursor solution to fill the gaps between indium tin oxide nanorods, for preparation of three-dimensional CuInGaS2 thin-film solar cells. Res Chem Intermed 40, 49–56 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-013-1454-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-013-1454-z

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