Characterization of Flexible CIGS Thin Film Solar Cells on Stainless Steel with Intrinsic ZnO Diffusion Barriers

Abstract

ZnO diffusion barrier layer was deposited by RF magnetron sputtering by using the same method as intrinsic ZnO layer. The CIGS solar cells were fabricated on stainless steel substrate. The 50-200 nm thin ZnO diffusion barriers effectively reduced the diffusion of Fe and Cr, from stainless steel substrates into the CIGS absorbers. The CIGS solar cells with ZnO diffusion barriers increased the J(sc) and FF, which resulted in an increase of cell efficiency from 5.9% up to 9.06%.

Influence of Silicon Oxide Processes on the Performance of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Flexible Solar Cells

“…Hence, typically, dielectric (e.g., SiO x , Al 2 O 3 , ZnO, and Cr 2 O 3 ) and metal (e.g., Ti and Cr) barrier layers are fabricated on SS substrates. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In addition to the barrier effect, dielectric layers are also used for ensuring good electrical insulation between the metal substrate and the monolithically interconnected PV cells. [15] Sol-gel and anodization methods are used to produce thick layers during cell production.…”