• Aillerie, Michel
• Hamady, Sidi Ould Saad
• Aubert, Thierry
• Chevallier, Christyves
• Fressengeas, Nicolas
• Zaraket, Jean

Abstract

The challenge of switching for photovoltaic as a major source of electricity can only be fulfilled by using solar cells based on low toxicity and earth abundant materials combined with a low cost process. One of the most promising solution to achieve this goal is to use a metal oxide absorber such as cuprous oxide (Cu2O). In 2016, a Cu2O/ZnGeO solar cell was demonstrated by the Minani group and reached a record efficiency of 8.1%. A recent modeling of Cu2O solar cells by Rizi et al. confirms that ZnGeO buffer layer outperforms other buffer layers reported experimentally due to a better band alignement. However the experimental and simulated results were obtained by taking into account a solar cell based on a high demanding energy process (T>1000°C). Cuprous oxide thin films have already been developed by low cost and large area compatible processes, but currently in detriment of material quality with grain size in the range of tenth of nanometers and mobility two order of magnitude lower. In order to evaluate the impact of low cost processes on solar cell performances, we analyse the modelisation results of Cu2O/ZnGeO solar cell by carefully taking into account experimental material properties, defects and grain size of Cu2O grown by low cost processes. The conclusion of this analysis will serve as a guideline for solar cells elaboration by spray pyrolysis in our laboratory and measurements of device performances will be compared with our simulated results.

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• grain
• grain size
• mobility
• thin film
• defect
• toxicity
• spray pyrolysis