Temperature and Humidity Stable Alkali/Alkaline‐Earth Metal Carbonates as Electron Heterocontacts for Silicon Photovoltaics |
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Authors: | Yimao Wan James Bullock Mark Hettick Zhaoran Xu Chris Samundsett Di Yan Jun Peng Jichun Ye Ali Javey Andres Cuevas |
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Institution: | 1. Research School of Engineering, The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT, Australia;2. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA;3. Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA;4. Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China |
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Abstract: | Nanometer scale interfacial layers between the metal cathode and the n‐type semiconductor play a critical role in enhancing the transport of charge carriers in and out of optoelectronic devices. Here, a range of nanoscale alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates (i.e., potassium, rubidium, caesium, calcium, strontium, and barium) are shown to function effectively as electron heterocontacts to lightly doped n‐type crystalline silicon (c‐Si), which is particularly challenging to contact with common metals. These carbonate interlayers are shown to enhance the performance of n‐type c‐Si proof‐of‐concept solar cells up to a power conversion efficiency of ≈19%. Furthermore, these devices are thermally stable up to 350 °C and both the caesium and barium carbonates pass a standard 1000 h damp heat test, with >95% of their initial performance maintained. The temperature and humidity stable electron heterocontacts based on alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates show a high potential for industrial feasibility and longevity for deployment in the field. |
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Keywords: | alkali carbonate alkaline earth metal carbonates electron heterocontacts silicon photovoltaics |
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