Replacement of Transparent Conductive Oxides by Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Cu(In,Ga)Se2-Based Solar Cells

Miguel A. Contreras, Teresa Barnes, Jao Van De Lagemaat, Garry Rumbles, Timothy J. Coutts, Chris Weeks, Paul Glatkowski, Igor Levitsky, Jorma Peltola, David A. Britz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus Citations

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 languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)14045-14048
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume111
Issue number38
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Sep 2007

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-520-41729

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