SBIR Phase I: Nanoparticle Te Inks for Spray Deposition of Submicron Te Contact Layers in CdTe Solar Cells

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目解决了CdTe太阳能电池接触层非真空沉积方法的需求。 虽然溅射是目前成功地采用，本项目的目标是开发的纳米粒子油墨，可用于打印亚微米厚的碲薄膜。 迄今为止，Te油墨由于颗粒团聚而产生不均匀的涂层。 该项目的研究目标是由分散的、非团聚的直径小于50 nm的Te颗粒组成的Te油墨的配方。 该油墨的功效将通过如下的CdTe太阳能电池的制造来证明。 首先，将Te油墨喷涂到太阳能电池异质结构的CdTe层上。 然后，对该绿色体进行热处理。 最后，通过沉积不透明电极完成太阳能电池。 将对油墨、喷涂层和成品CdTe器件进行表征。 如果成功开发，预计这项研究将转化为生产规模（即，100兆瓦）碲化镉太阳能电池设施通过该项目的工业分包商。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the need for a non-vacuum deposition approach for contact layers in CdTe solar cells. While sputtering is at present successfully employed, the objective of this project is the development of a nanoparticle ink that could be used to print submicron thick Te thin films. To date, Te inks produce non-uniform coatings owing to particle agglomeration. The research objective of this project is the formulation of a Te ink composed of dispersed, nonagglomerated Te particles with diameter less than 50 nm. The efficacy of this ink will be demonstrated by fabrication of CdTe solar cells as follows. First, the Te ink will be sprayed onto the CdTe layer of a solar cell heterostructure. Then, this green body will be subjected to a thermal treatment. Finally, the solar cell will be finished by deposition of an opaque electrode. Characterization will be performed on the ink, the sprayed layers, and the finished CdTe devices. If successfully developed, it is anticipated that this research would be translated to a production-sized (i.e., 100 megawatt) CdTe solar cell facility through the industrial subcontractor of this project.