Cu2Zn(Sn,Ge)S4 Nanocrystal-Ink Based Solar Cells: Colloidal Nanocrystal Growth and Control of Electrically Active Traps

Cu2Zn(Sn,Ge)S4 纳米晶体墨水太阳能电池：胶体纳米晶体生长和电活性陷阱的控制

• 批准号: 1133671
• 负责人: Hugh Hillhouse
• 金额: $ 36万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-15 至 2016-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1133671&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Cu2Zn; Sn; Ge; S4; Nanocrystal

PI: Hugh W HillhouseProposal Number: 1133671Intellectual MeritSolar energy is an abundant and promising renewable energy resource for the generation electricity. However, the realization of solar photovoltaics (PV) for achieving a sustainable energy future will require low-cost and earth-abundant elements for PV materials which offer high solar energy conversion efficiency. In this regard, Copper-Zinc-Tin-Sulfur/Selenide (CZTSSe) is emerging as top candidate PV material, but suffers from low solar energy conversion efficiency because the electronic trap states cannot be controlled through current PV layer fabrication approaches. The proposed research will engineer a colloidal nanocrystal-ink route to yield dense CZTSSe layers with low concentrations of electrically-active traps to yield high quality optoelectronic films with low rates of non-radiative recombination that offer potentially high efficiencies which approach theoretical limits. In the nanocrystal-ink route for fabrication of CZTSSe layers, colloidal nanocrystals will be synthesized and then suspended in an ink that is coated on substrate. The nanocrystal layer is then sintered to yield a high quality dense polycrystalline photoabsorbing layer for the solar PV cell. Strategies to control CZTSSe nanocrystal growth with surfactants, solvents, and ligands that do not yield electrically active traps will be identified through a suite of measurements, including small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), in-situ UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy of the nucleating and growing nanocrystals, and photoluminescence of the nanocrystals and sintered films. Furthermore, a unique ultrasonic spray deposition strategy will be developed to form films with a well defined lateral composition gradient, as small differences in the absorber layer composition can have a profound effect on the electronic quality. The spatial photovoltaic properties will then be screened with spatially resolved photocurrent measurements to identify favorable defect chemistries, and operating solar cells will be fabricated and tested from the most promising compositions. Broader ImpactsIn addition to training graduate students, the proposed activities will engage the public and K-12 students in solar energy topics. A graduate student working through the Society of Women Engineers will mentor local elementary school students with science fair projects. The PI work will with the Pacific Science Center in Seattle to create clean energy demonstrations, make presentations through the Science Cafe program, and mentor local high school teams to prepare projects for Solar Day, which is being held in Seattle in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference.

主要研究者：Hugh W Hillhouse建议编号：1133671知识产权太阳能是一种丰富而有前途的可再生能源，可用于发电。 然而，实现太阳能光伏（PV）以实现可持续的能源未来将需要用于PV材料的低成本和地球丰富的元素，其提供高的太阳能转换效率。 在这方面，铜-锌-锡-硫/硒化物（CZTSSe）正在成为最佳候选PV材料，但由于电子陷阱态不能通过当前PV层制造方法控制而遭受低太阳能转换效率。 拟议的研究将设计一种胶体纳米墨水路线，以产生具有低浓度电活性陷阱的致密CZTSSe层，从而产生具有低非辐射复合率的高质量光电薄膜，这些薄膜提供接近理论极限的潜在高效率。 在用于制造CZTSSe层的纳米晶体-墨水路线中，将合成胶体纳米晶体，然后将其悬浮在涂覆在基底上的墨水中。然后烧结该光吸收层以产生用于太阳能PV电池的高质量致密多晶光吸收层。 控制CZTSSe晶体生长的表面活性剂，溶剂和配体，不产生电活性陷阱的策略将通过一套测量，包括小角X射线散射（SAXS），原位紫外-可见-近红外光谱的成核和生长的纳米晶体，和光致发光的纳米晶体和烧结膜。 此外，将开发一种独特的超声喷雾沉积策略，以形成具有明确的横向成分梯度的薄膜，因为吸收层成分的微小差异可能对电子质量产生深远的影响。 然后将用空间分辨光电流测量筛选空间光伏特性以识别有利的缺陷化学，并且将从最有希望的组合物制造和测试操作太阳能电池。除了培训研究生外，拟议的活动还将使公众和K-12学生参与太阳能主题。 一名通过女工程师协会工作的研究生将指导当地小学生进行科学博览会项目。 PI将与西雅图的太平洋科学中心合作，创建清洁能源演示，通过科学咖啡馆计划进行演示，并指导当地高中团队为太阳日准备项目，太阳日将在西雅图举行，同时举行IEEE Photoelectronics专家会议50周年纪念活动。