Abstract
Thin films of single-wall carbon nanotubes were used as the transparent top electrical contact in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2-based solar cells. Specifically, we demonstrate that thin layers of carbon nanotubes in combination with insulating polymer layers can effectively replace the metal oxide layers typically used in polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. Replacing the standard n-type ZnO layer with a thin film of carbon nanotubes yielded energy conversion efficiencies up to 13%. The optical and electrical transport properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes suggest that suitable applications for these materials include multiple-junction solar cells, thermophotovoltaics, and other applications benefiting from a p-type transparent conductor with high near-infrared transmission.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 14045-14048 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
| Volume | 111 |
| Issue number | 38 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 27 2007 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Energy(all)
Cite this
Replacement of transparent conductive oxides by single-wall carbon nanotubes in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2-based solar cells. / Contreras, Miguel A.; Barnes, Teresa; Van De Lagemaat, Jao; Rumbles, Gary; Coutts, Timothy J.; Weeks, Chris; Glatkowski, Paul; Levitsky, Igor; Peltola, Jorma; Britz, David A.
In: Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Vol. 111, No. 38, 27.09.2007, p. 14045-14048.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Replacement of transparent conductive oxides by single-wall carbon nanotubes in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2-based solar cells
AU - Contreras, Miguel A.
AU - Barnes, Teresa
AU - Van De Lagemaat, Jao
AU - Rumbles, Gary
AU - Coutts, Timothy J.
AU - Weeks, Chris
AU - Glatkowski, Paul
AU - Levitsky, Igor
AU - Peltola, Jorma
AU - Britz, David A.
PY - 2007/9/27
Y1 - 2007/9/27
N2 - Thin films of single-wall carbon nanotubes were used as the transparent top electrical contact in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2-based solar cells. Specifically, we demonstrate that thin layers of carbon nanotubes in combination with insulating polymer layers can effectively replace the metal oxide layers typically used in polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. Replacing the standard n-type ZnO layer with a thin film of carbon nanotubes yielded energy conversion efficiencies up to 13%. The optical and electrical transport properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes suggest that suitable applications for these materials include multiple-junction solar cells, thermophotovoltaics, and other applications benefiting from a p-type transparent conductor with high near-infrared transmission.
AB - Thin films of single-wall carbon nanotubes were used as the transparent top electrical contact in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2-based solar cells. Specifically, we demonstrate that thin layers of carbon nanotubes in combination with insulating polymer layers can effectively replace the metal oxide layers typically used in polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. Replacing the standard n-type ZnO layer with a thin film of carbon nanotubes yielded energy conversion efficiencies up to 13%. The optical and electrical transport properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes suggest that suitable applications for these materials include multiple-junction solar cells, thermophotovoltaics, and other applications benefiting from a p-type transparent conductor with high near-infrared transmission.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35148886359&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35148886359&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/jp075507b
DO - 10.1021/jp075507b
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:35148886359
VL - 111
SP - 14045
EP - 14048
JO - Journal of Physical Chemistry C
JF - Journal of Physical Chemistry C
SN - 1932-7447
IS - 38
ER -