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Substrate geometry CdTe solar cells with catalytically-grownnano-rough surfaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2016

G. Papageorgiou*
Affiliation:
Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy / Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Chadwick Building, Peach St, Liverpool, L69 7ZF, United Kingdom
J.D. Major
Affiliation:
Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy / Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Chadwick Building, Peach St, Liverpool, L69 7ZF, United Kingdom
K. Durose
Affiliation:
Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy / Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Chadwick Building, Peach St, Liverpool, L69 7ZF, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Substrate geometry CdTe solar cells have been modified with the addition ofmetal-catalysed nano-structures in order to influence their efficiency.Conditions for the growth of Au- and Bi-catalysed nanostructures were explored.The substrate devices themselves comprised indium tin oxide/CdS/CdTe/Mo foil andwere developed using the MgCl2 alternative to the usualCdCl2 processing – this yielded open circuit voltages ofup to 740 mV. It was demonstrated that the addition of Au-catalysed nanowires to200 nm thick CdTe films on glass substrates decreased their optical transmissionby 10%, this being significantly higher than for thick films. However,reproducibility issues with forming Bi nanostructures limited the devicemodification tests to the use of Au-catalysed wires, and these always acted todepress photovoltaic performance.

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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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References

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