Growth control of molybdenum thin films with simultaneously improved adhesion and conductivity via sputtering for thin film solar cell application

Bansal, Neetu; Pandey, Kaushlendra; Singh, K.; Mohanty, Bhaskar Chandra

doi:10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.12.050

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The presented results are in line with other studies [ 35 ]. According to the literature, increased sputtering power increases grain growth [ 5 ]. As a result, a likely interpretation for the grain nucleation and rapid growth using 140 W power rate is the high flux induced to the sputtered atoms.…”

Section: Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In parallel to Na diffusion, the ohmic contact is expected to form with the CIGSe absorber for optimal charge transfer. Chemical inertness and stable adherence are also crucial for the device’s structural integrity [ 5 ]. Molybdenum (Mo) is proven to be the optimal material of all the prospective choices as the back contact layer in CIGSe thin films for its thermochemical inertness, excellent conductivity and inadvertently formed advantageous p-MoSe 2 interface layer [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Probing the Interplay between Mo Back Contact Layer Deposition Condition and MoSe2 Layer Formation at the CIGSe/Mo Hetero-Interface

et al. 2023

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The effect of Mo thin film deposition power in DC sputtering on the formation of a MoSe2 interfacial layer grown via the annealing of CIGSe/Mo precursors in an Se-free atmosphere was investigated. A Mo layer was deposited on glass substrates using the DC magnetron sputtering method. Its electrical resistivity, as well as its morphological, structural, and adhesion characteristics, were analyzed regarding the deposition power. In the case of thinner films of about 300 nm deposited at 80 W, smaller grains and a lower volume percentage of grain boundaries were found, compared to 510 nm thick film with larger agglomerates obtained at 140 W DC power. By increasing the deposition power, in contrast, the conductivity of the Mo film significantly improved with lowest sheet resistance of 0.353 Ω/square for the sample deposited at 140 W. Both structural and Raman spectroscopy outputs confirmed the pronounced formation of MoSe2, resulting from Mo films with predominant (110) orientated planes. Sputtered Mo films deposited at 140 W power improved Mo crystals and the growth of MoSe2 layers with a preferential (103) orientation upon the Se-free annealing. With a more porous Mo surface structure for the sample deposited at higher power, a larger contact area developed between the Mo films and the Se compound was found from the CIGSe film deposited on top of the Mo, favoring the formation of MoSe2. The CIGSe/Mo hetero-contact, including the MoSe2 layer with controlled thickness, is not Schottky-type, but a favourable ohmic-type, as evaluated by the dark I-V measurement at room temperature (RT). These findings support the significance of regulating the thickness of the unintentional MoSe2 layer growth, which is attainable by controlling the Mo deposition power. Furthermore, while the adhesion between the CIGSe absorber layer and the Mo remains intact, the resistance of final devices with the Ni/CIGSe/Mo structure was found to be directly linked to the MoSe2 thickness. Consequently, it addresses the importance of MoSe2 structural properties for improved CIGSe solar cell performance and stability.

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Section: Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Probing the Interplay between Mo Back Contact Layer Deposition Condition and MoSe2 Layer Formation at the CIGSe/Mo Hetero-Interface

et al. 2023

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“…These cleaned glass pieces were used as substrates for sputter deposition of the Mo thin films. The DC sputtering of the bilayer Mo film on the synthesized and prepared glasses (NCS:KCS) as substrates is carried out in a system as reported in our previous work, 13 at 75 W power with 20 minutes for high‐pressure deposition (HPD) and 40 minutes for low‐pressure deposition (LPD). Since in the CIGS‐ or CZTS‐based solar cell technology, the absorber layers require a high temperature (typically >500°C) post‐deposition annealing, the deposited Mo films were vacuum annealed at 500°C for 1 hour to study the diffusion of the alkali ions in the Mo films from various substrates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, apart from the optimization of the absorber films, many groups have undertaken studies highlighting the critical influence of the alkali ions diffusing from the substrates on the performance of the devices 9‐12 . In the conventional architecture of the CIGS‐ and CZTS‐based thin‐film solar cells, besides providing mechanical support and high processing temperature, the substrate (most commonly used soda lime glass) doubles up as a source of Na that out‐diffuses to the absorber layer via the bottom electrode (~1 μm thick Mo film) 13‐16 . Solar cells relying on the diffusion of Na from the substrate to the overlayers have routinely yielded high efficiencies, for example, 20.3% for CIGS and 12.6% for CZTS (the highest efficiency, to date) 17,18 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the role of composition and local structure on alkali out‐diffusion in glasses for thin‐film solar cells

et al. 2020

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Fostered by the increasing demands for clean energy, thinfilm photovoltaic has drawn considerable research attention due to low material consumption and the rapid progress in the technology of cost-effective fabrication of thin films. 1-3 Inorganic compound semiconductors CuInGaSe 2 (CIGS) and Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) have been the most popular candidates as the absorber layer in thin-film solar cells due to their highly relevant optoelectronic properties. 1,4,5 Thin-film coatings on commercially available glass substrates for solar cells and optoelectronic devices have been widely studied. 6-8 Recently, apart from the optimization of the absorber films, many groups have undertaken studies highlighting the critical influence of the alkali ions diffusing from the substrates on the performance of the devices. 9-12 In the conventional architecture of the CIGS-and CZTS-based thin-film solar cells, besides providing mechanical support and high processing temperature, the substrate (most commonly used soda lime glass) doubles up as a source of Na that out-diffuses to the absorber layer via the bottom electrode (~1 μm thick Mo film). 13-16 Solar cells relying on the diffusion of Na

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“…Glasses and glass ceramics are being used in the field of engineering and medical science, for example as sealing materials in solid oxide fuel cells, non‐linear optics, lasers, substrates in solar energy production, treatment of cancer, etc . These glasses and glass ceramics are synthesized using different mineral oxides, which are costly .…”

Section: Second Generation Agricultural Wastes and Their Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass as a sustainable resource for value‐added modern materials: a review

Sharma

Kaur

Punj

et al. 2020

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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Over the past century, the world's population has increased greatly. The growth in the population has increased the global food demand, so the food sector has increased its production. As a result of the increased production and consumption, a huge amount of agro-food waste is being generated yearly. Rice husk, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, corn husk, peanut shell, eggshell, are just a few examples of agro-food wastes. As these agro-food wastes and their by-products are left unused and unattended, their amount is increasing globally. It is imperative to find ways to put these wastes to environmentally viable use. These wastes find direct uses in biofertilizers, mud houses, animal feed, biofuel, and heat generation in small-scale industries, etc. After heat generation, ashes are considered as a secondary by-product, which can be used as a sustainable and renewable resource for synthesizing value-added products for various applications. This article presents a review of the traditional and advanced methods of utilizing these wastes in household applications, animal feed, fertilizers, fuel generation, pyrolysis, and for the removal of toxic metals from polluted water. These secondary resources can also be used in construction materials and for the synthesis of glasses and glass-ceramics, which can be used in bioengineering, optical, and dielectric materials. Agrofood wastes can be used as resource materials to develop modern materials with better properties instead of using minerals. This not only reduces the environment-and management-related problem of the wastes but also provides a sustainable alternative way to produce cost-effective value-added materials for the benefit of society.

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Growth control of molybdenum thin films with simultaneously improved adhesion and conductivity via sputtering for thin film solar cell application

Cited by 27 publications

References 35 publications

Probing the Interplay between Mo Back Contact Layer Deposition Condition and MoSe2 Layer Formation at the CIGSe/Mo Hetero-Interface

Probing the Interplay between Mo Back Contact Layer Deposition Condition and MoSe2 Layer Formation at the CIGSe/Mo Hetero-Interface

Evaluating the role of composition and local structure on alkali out‐diffusion in glasses for thin‐film solar cells

Biomass as a sustainable resource for value‐added modern materials: a review

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