A direct thin-film path towards low-cost large-area III-V photovoltaics.

ABSTRACT: III-V photovoltaics (PVs) have demonstrated the highest power conversion efficiencies for both single- and multi-junction cells. However, expensive epitaxial growth substrates, low precursor utilization rates, long growth times, and large equipment investments restrict applications to concentrated and space photovoltaics (PVs). Here, we demonstrate the first vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of high-quality III-V thin-films on metal foils as a promising platform for large-area terrestrial PVs overcoming the above obstacles. We demonstrate 1-3??m thick InP thin-films on Mo foils with ultra-large grain size up to 100??m, which is ~100 times larger than those obtained by conventional growth processes. The films exhibit electron mobilities as high as 500?cm²/V-s and minority carrier lifetimes as long as 2.5?ns. Furthermore, under 1-sun equivalent illumination, photoluminescence efficiency measurements indicate that an open circuit voltage of up to 930?mV can be achieved, only 40?mV lower than measured on a single crystal reference wafer.

SUBMITTER: Kapadia R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3721076 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature