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Rapid Recombination by Cadmium Vacancies in CdTe.


ABSTRACT: CdTe is currently the largest thin-film photovoltaic technology. Non-radiative electron-hole recombination reduces the solar conversion efficiency from an ideal value of 32% to a current champion performance of 22%. The cadmium vacancy (VCd) is a prominent acceptor species in p-type CdTe; however, debate continues regarding its structural and electronic behavior. Using ab initio defect techniques, we calculate a negative-U double-acceptor level for VCd, while reproducing the VCd 1- hole-polaron, reconciling theoretical predictions with experimental observations. We find the cadmium vacancy facilitates rapid charge-carrier recombination, reducing maximum power-conversion efficiency by over 5% for untreated CdTe-a consequence of tellurium dimerization, metastable structural arrangements, and anharmonic potential energy surfaces for carrier capture.

SUBMITTER: Kavanagh SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8043136 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rapid Recombination by Cadmium Vacancies in CdTe.

Kavanagh Seán R SR   Walsh Aron A   Scanlon David O DO  

ACS energy letters 20210319 4


CdTe is currently the largest thin-film photovoltaic technology. Non-radiative electron-hole recombination reduces the solar conversion efficiency from an ideal value of 32% to a current champion performance of 22%. The cadmium vacancy (V<sub>Cd</sub>) is a prominent acceptor species in <i>p</i>-type CdTe; however, debate continues regarding its structural and electronic behavior. Using <i>ab initio</i> defect techniques, we calculate a negative-U double-acceptor level for V<sub>Cd</sub>, while  ...[more]

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