Title:
A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH A SELF -ASSEMBLED MONOLAYER BETWEEN A SEMICONDUCTOR ABSORBER LAYER AND A BACK CONTACT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/061201
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A photovoltaic structure can include a substrate, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the substrate, a semiconductor window layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer, a semiconductor absorber layer (110) adjacent to the semiconductor window layer, a carbon-containing self-assembled monolayer (200) adjacent to the semiconductor absorber layer (110) and a back contact adjacent to the carbon-containing self-assembled monolayer (200). The organic monolayer (200) can include a plurality of molecules. Each molecule can include a binding end group (210) that has an affinity for a surface of the semiconductor absorber layer (110) and a tail end (230) connected to the binding end group (210) through a bond (220). The binding end group (210) can be directly bound to the surface of the semiconductor absorber layer (1 10). The tail end (230) can include carbon and can be directed from the surface of the semiconductor absorber layer (110). The binding end group (210) can include a reactive phosphorous acid and can form a metal phosphorous bond with the semiconductor absorber layer (110). Each molecule of the carbon-containing self-assembled monolayer (200) can include an alkyl phosphonate. The semiconductor absorber layer (110) can include cadmium telluride.
Inventors:
DEEKEN JOHN S (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2011/058096
Publication Date:
July 05, 2012
Filing Date:
October 27, 2011
Export Citation:
Assignee:
FIRST SOLAR INC (US)
DEEKEN JOHN S (US)
DEEKEN JOHN S (US)
International Classes:
H01L31/073; H01L31/0224; H01L31/18
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2009091502A1 | 2009-07-23 | |||
| WO2010082955A1 | 2010-07-22 |
Other References:
ASHKENASY G ET AL: "Molecular Engineering of Semiconductor Surfaces and Devices", ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH, vol. 35, no. 2, 2002, pages 121 - 128, XP055022799, ISSN: 0001-4842, DOI: 10.1021/ar990047t
"Cadmium telluride photovoltaics", WIKIPEDIA, 13 October 2010 (2010-10-13), XP055022795, Retrieved from the Internet [retrieved on 20120323]
"Cadmium telluride photovoltaics", WIKIPEDIA, 13 October 2010 (2010-10-13), XP055022795, Retrieved from the Internet
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
D'AMICO, Thomas, J. (1825 Eye Street N, Washington DC, US)
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