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 | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 14045-14048 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
Volume | 111 |
Issue number | 38 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 27 Sep 2007 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/JA-520-41729