Fabrication and analysis of thin-film GaAs solar cell on flexible thermoplastic substrate using a low-pressure cold-welding

Lee, Yong-Hwan; Park, Kwang-Wook; Kang, Seok‐Ju; Yeo, Chan Il; Kim, J.B.; Kang, Eun Kyu; Song, Young Min; Lee, Y.T.

doi:10.1016/j.cap.2015.06.026

Cited by 24 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…This specific power is the highest reported thus far for flexible III–V PV devices and provides a remarkable opportunity for producing lightweight and high-efficiency PV modules. Figure shows the benchmark of specific power as a function of solar cell efficiency. ,,,,,,, The reason why we can significantly increase the specific power compared to conventional flexible III–V PV devices is that the weight of the PV devices is dramatically reduced by using an extremely lightweight polyimide film (∼13 μm) as a substrate and thin metal layers (∼140 nm) as bonding materials. Further improvement in cell efficiency and cell weight reduction will provide high specific power values of over 10,000 W/kg.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previously, flexible III–V solar cells were fabricated on a Cu substrate , or metal foil. − However, metals including Cu are heavy and not very flexible; therefore, as alternative materials to metals, polymer films have recently been widely used as substrates to reduce weight and enhance flexibility. Even with a polymer film as a substrate, not sufficiently thin polymer films and a few microns thick bonding materials are used in the fabrication of flexible solar cells, thus still exhibiting drawbacks in specific power. − Therefore, the weight and thickness of the substrate and bonding material must be reduced to enhance the specific power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultra-Lightweight, Flexible InGaP/GaAs Tandem Solar Cells with a Dual-Function Encapsulation Layer

Kim

Geum

et al. 2021

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Lightweight, flexible solar cells from III−V semiconductors offer new application opportunities for devices that require a power supply, such as cars, drones, satellites, or wearable devices, due to their outstanding efficiency and power-to-weight ratio (specific power). However, the specific power and stability of flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices need to be enhanced for use in such applications because current flexible PV devices are vulnerable to moisture and heat. Here, we develop ultra-lightweight, flexible InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cells with a dual-function encapsulation layer that serves as both a moisture barrier and an antireflection coating for the active device layer. Using a thin polymer film as a substrate and an ultrathin metal as a bonding layer, the total weight of the device is dramatically reduced. Therefore, the specific power of our solar cells is remarkably high with a value of over 5000 W/kg under the AM 1.5G solar spectrum. Additionally, there is no degradation even if the solar cells are exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra-Lightweight, Flexible InGaP/GaAs Tandem Solar Cells with a Dual-Function Encapsulation Layer

Kim

Geum

et al. 2021

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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“…(110) InP and the spalled (110) InP substrate are almost identical, while the spalled (110) InP thin film shows slightly increased PL intensity. This could be attributed to the presence of the metal layer at the rear acting as a back reflector, which increases the optical path length of the unabsorbed photons . We also used time-resolved PL (TRPL) to investigate the minority carrier lifetime, as shown in Figure b. , The measured lifetime of ref.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 4a This could be attributed to the presence of the metal layer at the rear acting as a back reflector, which increases the optical path length of the unabsorbed photons. 36 We also used time-resolved PL (TRPL) to investigate the minority carrier lifetime, as shown in Figure 4b. 37,38 The measured lifetime of ref.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monocrystalline InP Thin Films with Tunable Surface Morphology and Energy Band gap

Lee

Yang

Tan

et al. 2020

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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InP is currently being used in various (opto)electronic and energy device applications. However, the high cost of InP substrates and associated epitaxial growth techniques has been huge impediments for its widespread use. Here, large-area monocrystalline InP thin films are demonstrated via a convenient cracking method, and the InP thin films show material properties identical to their bulk counterparts. Furthermore, the same substrate can be reused for the production of additional InP thin films. This cracking technique is also shown to be a versatile tool to form an ultrasmooth surface or a microscale periodic triangular grating structure on the surface, depending on the orientation of the donor substrate used. Strain-induced band gap energy shift is also observed in localized regions of the thin film with a grating structure. The simplicity of this technique, which does not require any sophisticated equipment and complex fabrication process, is promising to reduce the cost of InP thin-film devices.

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“…Crystalline silicon has become an important and dominant semiconductor material in most of solar cells . Apart from Si wafer-based module, gallium arsenide (GaAs) which is a compound semiconductor has been used for decades to make ultrahigh-efficiency solar cells because of its advantages, including their high photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent antiradiation performance. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Separating and Recycling Plastic, Glass, and Gallium from Waste Solar Cell Modules by Nitrogen Pyrolysis and Vacuum Decomposition

Zhang

2016

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Many countries have gained benefits through the solar cells industry due to its high efficiency and nonpolluting power generation associated with solar energy. Accordingly, the market of solar cell modules is expanding rapidly in recent decade. However, how to environmentally friendly and effectively recycle waste solar cell modules is seldom concerned. Based on nitrogen pyrolysis and vacuum decomposition, this work can successfully recycle useful organic components, glass, and gallium from solar cell modules. The results were summarized as follows: (i) nitrogen pyrolysis process can effectively decompose plastic. Organic conversion rate approached 100% in the condition of 773 K, 30 min, and 0.5 L/min N2 flow rate. But, it should be noted that pyrolysis temperature should not exceed 773 K, and harmful products would be increased with the increasing of temperature, such as benzene and its derivatives by GC-MS measurement; (ii) separation principle, products analysis, and optimization of vacuum decomposition were discussed. Gallium can be well recycled under temperature of 1123 K, system pressure of 1 Pa and reaction time of 40 min. This technology is quite significant in accordance with the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Principle" for solid waste, and provides an opportunity for sustainable development of photovoltaic industry.

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Fabrication and analysis of thin-film GaAs solar cell on flexible thermoplastic substrate using a low-pressure cold-welding

Cited by 24 publications

References 36 publications

Ultra-Lightweight, Flexible InGaP/GaAs Tandem Solar Cells with a Dual-Function Encapsulation Layer

Ultra-Lightweight, Flexible InGaP/GaAs Tandem Solar Cells with a Dual-Function Encapsulation Layer

Monocrystalline InP Thin Films with Tunable Surface Morphology and Energy Band gap

Separating and Recycling Plastic, Glass, and Gallium from Waste Solar Cell Modules by Nitrogen Pyrolysis and Vacuum Decomposition

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