Copper Iodide (CuI) Nanoparticles as a Hole Transport Layer to Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar Cells.

ORAL

Abstract

We report on the use of copper iodide (CuI) nanoparticles as a hole transport layer (HTL) on cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells. We synthesized the CuI NPs using solution precursors at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed to understand the morphological and structural properties of CuI NPs. The XRD pattern suggests pure $\gamma $-CuI phase in zinc-blend structure. The UV-vis absorption spectra of CuI NPs in dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent reveals a wide optical band gap energy of \textasciitilde 3.0 eV. Utilizing these CuI NPs as an interface layer, a photoconversion efficiency of 14.8 {\%} was measured with fill factor of 79.2 {\%} along with Au back electrode. The CuI NPs on CdS/CdTe device with indium tin oxide (ITO) as a back electrode enhances device performance as compared to cells without CuI NPs. The stability of the devices under thermal stress will be reported.

*Air force research laboratory (FA9453-18-2-0037, FA9453-19-C-1002), U.S. DOE's DE-EE0008974.

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Authors

  • Dipendra Pokhrel

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo

  • Ebin Bastola

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo

  • Kamala Khanal Subedi

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo

  • Suman Rijal

    • University of Toledo

  • Manoj K Jamarkattel

    • University of Toledo

  • Rasha Abbas Awni

    • University of Toledo

  • Adam B Phillips

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo

  • Yanfa Yan

    • University of Toledo

  • Michael J Heben

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo

  • Randy J Ellingson

    • Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo
    • University of Toledo