SBIR Phase I: Environmentally Benign Process to Enhance Performance of CuInSe2 Films

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）一期项目将开发一种新的表面改性技术，用于制造二硒化铜铟（CIS）薄膜，这是一种重要的新兴光伏技术。它将消除目前有毒的加工步骤，包括硫化镉沉积，氰化物蚀刻，所有这些都对制造商和环境有许多不利的影响。关键的一步将是设计一个简单，廉价的过程，使用空气和无毒的水溶液，改变CIS薄膜的表面特性。这一步将消除镉成分，氰化物蚀刻和处置危险化学品的需要。它还将提高用廉价涂层方法制成的太阳能电池的效率。改进的CIS太阳能电池的性能评估将验证新概念。这一创新有望简化制造，降低成本，提高光伏组件的效率。CIS光伏技术的应用范围从为小型电器供电到电力公用事业。非公用事业应用包括太阳能汽车、建筑集成、移动系统和空间系统。更低的成本，更少的组件和更容易的制造可以转化为CIS太阳能电池更广泛的商业市场。消除毒性问题将提高公众对CIS光伏技术的认识。它的实施将促进CIS太阳能电池的市场成功，为国家不断升级的能源和环境问题提供及时的解决方案。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a new surface modification technique for manufacturing copper indium diselenide (CIS) thin films, an important emerging photovoltaic technology. It will eliminate present toxic processing steps involving cadmium sulfide deposition, cyanide etch, all of which have many unfavorable repercussions to the manufacturer and the environment. The key step will be to devise a simple, inexpensive process, using air and a non-toxic aqueous solution, to alter the surface properties of CIS films. This step will eliminate the need for the cadmium component, the cyanide etch and the disposal of hazardous chemicals. It will also improve the efficiency of solar cells made with inexpensive coating methods. Performance evaluation of the modified CIS solar cells will validate the new concept. This innovation is anticipated to simplify manufacturing, lower costs and improve the efficiency of photovoltaic modules.Applications for the CIS photovoltaic technology range from powering small appliances to electric utility. Non-utility applications include solar cars, building integration, mobile systems and space systems. Lower costs, fewer components and easier manufacturing could translate into a wider spectrum of commercial markets for CIS solar cells. Eliminating the toxicity issues will enhance the public perception of CIS photovoltaic technology. Its implementation will promote the market success of CIS solar cells to provide a timely solution to the nation's escalating energy and environmental problems.