Sodium enhances indium-gallium interdiffusion in copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic absorbers.

Title Sodium enhances indium-gallium interdiffusion in copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic absorbers.
Authors D. Colombara; F. Werner; T. Schwarz; I.Cañero Infante; Y. Fleming; N. Valle; C. Spindler; E. Vacchieri; G. Rey; M. Guennou; M. Bouttemy; A.Garzón Manjón; I.Peral Alonso; M. Melchiorre; B.El Adib; B. Gault; D. Raabe; P.J. Dale; S. Siebentritt
Journal Nat Commun
DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-03115-0
Abstract

Copper indium gallium diselenide-based technology provides the most efficient solar energy conversion among all thin-film photovoltaic devices. This is possible due to engineered gallium depth gradients and alkali extrinsic doping. Sodium is well known to impede interdiffusion of indium and gallium in polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Sefilms, thus influencing the gallium depth distribution. Here, however, sodium is shown to have the opposite effect in monocrystalline gallium-free CuInSegrown on GaAs substrates. Gallium in-diffusion from the substrates is enhanced when sodium is incorporated into the film, leading to Cu(In,Ga)Seand Cu(In,Ga)Sephase formation. These results show that sodium does not decrease per se indium and gallium interdiffusion. Instead, it is suggested that sodium promotes indium and gallium intragrain diffusion, while it hinders intergrain diffusion by segregating at grain boundaries. The deeper understanding of dopant-mediated atomic diffusion mechanisms should lead to more effective chemical and electrical passivation strategies, and more efficient solar cells.

Citation D. Colombara; F. Werner; T. Schwarz; I.Cañero Infante; Y. Fleming; N. Valle; C. Spindler; E. Vacchieri; G. Rey; M. Guennou; M. Bouttemy; A.Garzón Manjón; I.Peral Alonso; M. Melchiorre; B.El Adib; B. Gault; D. Raabe; P.J. Dale; S. Siebentritt.Sodium enhances indium-gallium interdiffusion in copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic absorbers.. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):826. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03115-0

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Copper

See more Copper products. Copper Bohr Model Copper (atomic symbol: Cu, atomic number: 29) is a Block D, Group 11, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 63.546. The number of electrons in each of copper's shells is 2, 8, 18, 1 and its electron configuration is [Ar]3d10 4s1. The copper atom has a radius of 128 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 186 pm. Copper was first discovered by Early Man prior to 9000 BC. In its elemental form, copper has a reddish-orange metallic and lustrous appearance. Of all pure metals, only silver Elemental Copperhas a higher electrical conductivity. The origin of the word copper comes from the Latin word 'cuprium' which translates as "metal of Cyprus," as the Mediterranean island of Cyprus was known as an ancient source of mined copper..

Gallium

See more Gallium products. Gallium (atomic symbol: Ga, atomic number: 31) is a Block P, Group 13, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 69.723.The number of electrons in each of Gallium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 3 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1. The gallium atom has a radius of 122.1 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 187 pm. Gallium Bohr ModelGallium was predicted by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1871. It was first discovered and isolated by Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1875. In its elemental form, gallium has a silvery appearance. Elemental GalliumGallium is one of three elements that occur naturally as a liquid at room temperature, the other two being mercury and cesium. Gallium does not exist as a free element in nature and is sourced commercially from bauxite and sphalerite. Currently, gallium is used in semiconductor devices for microelectronics and optics. The element name originates from the Latin word 'Gallia' referring to Gaul, the old name of France.

Indium

See more Indium products. Indium (atomic symbol: In, atomic number: 49) is a Block P, Group 13, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 114.818. The number of electrons in each of indium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 18, 3] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p1. The indium atom has a radius of 162.6 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 193 pm. Indium was discovered by Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymous Theodor Richter in 1863. Indium Bohr ModelIt is a relatively rare, extremely soft metal is a lustrous silvery gray and is both malleable and easily fusible. It has similar chemical properties to Elemental Indiumgallium such as a low melting point and the ability to wet glass. Fields such as optics and microelectronics that utilize semiconductor technology have wide uses for indium, especially in the form of Indiun Tin Oxide (ITO). Thin films of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) are used in high-performing solar cells. Indium's name is derived from the Latin word indicum, meaning violet.

Selenium

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Sodium

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