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Author Garud, S.; Gampa, N.; Allen, T.G.; Kotipalli, R.; Flandre, D.; Batuk, M.; Hadermann, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.; Smets, A.; Vermang, B.
Title Surface passivation of CIGS solar cells using gallium oxide Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2018 Publication Physica status solidi : A : applications and materials science Abbreviated Journal Phys Status Solidi A
Volume 215 Issue 7 Pages 1700826
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract This work proposes gallium oxide grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition, as a surface passivation material at the CdS buffer interface of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) solar cells. In preliminary experiments, a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure is used to compare aluminium oxide, gallium oxide, and hafnium oxide as passivation layers at the CIGS-CdS interface. The findings suggest that gallium oxide on CIGS may show a density of positive charges and qualitatively, the least interface trap density. Subsequent solar cell results with an estimated 0.5nm passivation layer show an substantial absolute improvement of 56mV in open-circuit voltage (V-OC), 1mAcm(-2) in short-circuit current density (J(SC)), and 2.6% in overall efficiency as compared to a reference (with the reference showing 8.5% under AM 1.5G).
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000430128500015 Publication Date 2018-02-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1862-6300 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.775 Times cited 8 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ; The work published in this paper was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 715027). The authors would also like to thank Dr. Marcel Simor (Solliance) for the CIGS layer fabrication and Prof. Johan Lauwaert (Universtiy of Ghent) for his guidance on DLTS measurements. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.775
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:150761 Serial 4981
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Author Ranjbar, S.; Hadipour, A.; Vermang, B.; Batuk, M.; Hadermann, J.; Garud, S.; Sahayaraj, S.; Meuris, M.; Brammertz, G.; da Cunha, A.F.; Poortmans, J.
Title P-N Junction Passivation in Kesterite Solar Cells by Use of Solution-Processed TiO2 Layer Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2017 Publication IEEE journal of photovoltaics Abbreviated Journal Ieee J Photovolt
Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 1130-1135
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract In this work, we used a solution-processed TiO2 layer between Cu2ZnSnSe4 and CdS buffer layer to reduce the recombination at the p–n junction. Introducing the TiO2 layer showed a positive impact on VOC but fill factor and efficiency decreased. Using a KCN treatment, we could create openings in the TiO2 layer, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy measurements. Formation of these openings in the TiO2 layer led to the improvement of the short-circuit current, fill factor, and the efficiency of the modified solar cells.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000404258900026 Publication Date 2017-04-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2156-3381 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.712 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported in part by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant 640868, in part by the Flemish government, Department Economy, Science and Innovation, in part by the FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme, and in part by the National Funds through FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UID/CTM/50025/2013. The work of S. Ranjbar was supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation through Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/78409/2011. The work of B. Vermang was supported by the Flemish Research Foundation FWO (mandate 12O4215N). Approved Most recent IF: 3.712
Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:143986 Serial 4583
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Author Buffière, M.; Brammertz, G.; Sahayaraj, S.; Batuk, M.; Khelifi, S.; Mangin, D.; El Mel, A.A.; Arzel, L.; Hadermann, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.;
Title KCN chemical etch for interface engineering in Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal Acs Appl Mater Inter
Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 14690-14698
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The removal of secondary phases from the surface of the kesterite crystals is one of the major challenges to improve the performances of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)(4) (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells. In this Contribution, the KCN/KOH Chemical etching approach, originally developed for the removal of CuxSe phases in Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(2) thin films) is applied to CZTSe absorbers exhibiting various chemical compositions. Two distinct electrical behaviors were observed on CZTSe/CdS solar cells after treatment: (i) the improvement of the fill factor (FF) after 30 s of etching for the CZTSe absorbers showing initially a distortion of the electrical characteristic; (ii) the progressive degradation Of the FF after long treatment time for all Cu-poor CZTSe solar cell samples. The first effect can be attributed to the action of KCN on the absorber, that is found to clean the absorber free surface from most of the secondary phases surrounding the kesterite grains (e.g., Se-0, CuxSe, SnSex, SnO2, Cu2SnSe3 phases, excepting the ZnSe-based phases). The second observation was identified as a consequence of the preferential etching of Se, Sn, and Zn from the CZTSe surface by the KOH solution, combined with the modification of the alkali content of the absorber. The formation of a Cu-rich shell at the absorber/buffer layer interface, leading to the increase of the recombination rate at the interface, and the increase in the doping of the absorber layer after etching are found to be at the origin of the deterioration of the FF of the solar cells.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000358395200019 Publication Date 2015-06-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1944-8244;1944-8252; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.504 Times cited 34 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.504; 2015 IF: 6.723
Call Number c:irua:127153 Serial 1755
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Author Brammertz, G.; Oueslati, S.; Buffiere, M.; Bekaert, J.; El Anzeery, H.; Messaoud, K.B.; Sahayaraj, S.; Nuytten, T.; Koble, C.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.;
Title Investigation of properties limiting efficiency in Cu2ZnSnSe4-based solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2015 Publication IEEE journal of photovoltaics Abbreviated Journal Ieee J Photovolt
Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 649-655
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract We have investigated different nonidealities in Cu2ZnSnSe4CdSZnO solar cells with 9.7% conversion efficiency, in order to determine what is limiting the efficiency of these devices. Several nonidealities could be observed. A barrier of about 300 meV is present for electron flow at the absorberbuffer heterojunction leading to a strong crossover behavior between dark and illuminated currentvoltage curves. In addition, a barrier of about 130 meV is present at the Moabsorber contact, which could be reduced to 15 meV by inclusion of a TiN interlayer. Admittance spectroscopy results on the devices with the TiN backside contact show a defect level with an activation energy of 170 meV. Using all parameters extracted by the different characterization methods for simulations of the two-diode model including injection and recombination currents, we come to the conclusion that our devices are limited by the large recombination current in the depletion region. Potential fluctuations are present in the devices as well, but they do not seem to have a special degrading effect on the devices, besides a probable reduction in minority carrier lifetime through enhanced recombination through the band tail defects.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000353524800026 Publication Date 2014-12-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2156-3381;2156-3403; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.712 Times cited 13 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.712; 2015 IF: 3.165
Call Number c:irua:123717 Serial 1734
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Author Oueslati, S.; Brammertz, G.; Buffiere, M.; ElAnzeery, H.; Touayar, O.; Koeble, C.; Bekaert, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.
Title Physical and electrical characterization of high-performance Cu2ZnSnSe4 based thin film solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2015 Publication Thin solid films : an international journal on the science and technology of thin and thick films Abbreviated Journal Thin Solid Films
Volume 582 Issue 582 Pages 224-228
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract We report on the electrical, optical and physical properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells using an absorber layer fabricated by selenization of sputtered Cu, Zn and Cu10Sn90 multilayers. A maximum active-area conversion efficiency of 10.4% under AM1.5G was measured with a maximum short circuit current density of 39.7 mA/cm(2), an open circuit voltage of 394 mV and a fill factor of 66.4%. We perform electrical and optical characterization using photoluminescence spectroscopy, external quantum efficiency, current-voltage and admittance versus temperature measurements in order to derive information about possible causes for the low open circuit voltage values observed. The main defects derived from these measurements are strong potential fluctuations in the absorber layer as well as a potential barrier of the order of 133 meV at the back side contact. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Lausanne Editor
Language Wos 000352225900048 Publication Date 2014-10-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0040-6090 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.879 Times cited 49 Open Access
Notes ; We would like to acknowledge Tom De Geyter, Greetje Godiers, and Guido Huyberechts from Flamac in Gent for sputtering of the metal layers. AGC is acknowledged for providing substrates. This research is partially funded by the Flemish government, Department Economy, Science and Innovation. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.879; 2015 IF: 1.759
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:132504 Serial 4225
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Author Buffière, M.; Brammertz, G.; Batuk, M.; Verbist, C.; Mangin, D.; Koble, C.; Hadermann, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.
Title Microstructural analysis of 9.7% efficient Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin film solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Applied physics letters Abbreviated Journal Appl Phys Lett
Volume 105 Issue 18 Pages 183903
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract This work presents a detailed analysis of the microstructure and the composition of our record Cu 2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)-CdS-ZnO solar cell with a total area efficiency of 9.7%. The average composition of the CZTSe crystallites is Cu 1.94 Zn 1.12Sn0.95Se3.99. Large crystals of ZnSe secondary phase (up to 400 nm diameter) are observed at the voids between the absorber and the back contact, while smaller ZnSe domains are segregated at the grain boundaries and close to the surface of the CZTSe grains. An underlying layer and some particles of Cu xSe are observed at the Mo-MoSe2-Cu2ZnSnSe4 interface. The free surface of the voids at the back interface is covered by an amorphous layer containing Cu, S, O, and C, while the presence of Cd, Na, and K is also observed in this region.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher American Institute of Physics Place of Publication New York, N.Y. Editor
Language Wos 000345000000086 Publication Date 2014-11-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951;1077-3118; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.411 Times cited 17 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.411; 2014 IF: 3.302
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:121329 Serial 2038
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Author Buffière, M.; Zaghi, A.E.; Lenaers, N.; Batuk, M.; Khelifi, S.; Drijkoningen, J.; Hamon, J.; Stesmans, A.; Kepa, J.; Afanas’ev, V.V.; Hadermann, J.; D’Haen, J.; Manca, J.; Vleugels, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.;
Title Effect of binder content in Cu-In-Se precursor ink on the physical and electrical properties of printed CuInSe2 solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 118 Issue 47 Pages 27201-27209
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Printed chalcopyrite thin films have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their potential in the high-throughput production of photovoltaic devices. To improve the homogeneity of printed CuInSe2 (CISe) layers, chemical additives such as binder can be added to the precursor ink. In this contribution, we investigate the influence of the dicyandiamide (DCDA) content, used as a binder in the precursor ink, on the physical and electrical properties of printed CISe solar cells. It is shown that the use of the binder leads to a dense absorber, composed of large CISe grains close to the surface, while the bulk of the layer consists of CISe crystallites embedded in a CuxS particle based matrix, resulting from the limited sintering of the precursor in this region. The expected additional carbon contamination of the CISe layer due to the addition of the binder appears to be limited, and the optical properties of the CISe layer are similar to the reference sample without additive. The electrical characterization of the corresponding CISe/CdS solar cells shows a degradation of the efficiency of the devices, due to a modification in the predominant recombination mechanisms and a limitation of the space charge region width when using the binder; both effects could be explained by the inhomogeneity of the bulk of the CISe absorber and high defect density at the CISe/CuxS-based matrix interface.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000345722400003 Publication Date 2014-11-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447;1932-7455; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.536; 2014 IF: 4.772
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:121332 Serial 801
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Author E. Zaghi, A.; Buffière, M.; Koo, J.; Brammertz, G.; Batuk, M.; Verbist, C.; Hadermann, J.; Kim, W.K.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.; Vleugels, J.;
Title Effect of selenium content of CuInSex alloy nanopowder precursors on recrystallization of printed CuInSe2 absorber layers during selenization heat treatment Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Thin solid films : an international journal on the science and technology of thin and thick films Abbreviated Journal Thin Solid Films
Volume Issue Pages 1-7
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Polycrystalline CuInSe2 semiconductors are efficient light absorber materials for thin film solar cell technology, whereas printing is one of the promising low cost and non-vacuum approaches for the fabrication of thin film solar cells. The printed precursors are transformed into a dense polycrystalline CuInSe2 semiconductor film via thermal treatment in ambient selenium atmosphere (selenization). In this study, the effect of the selenium content in high purity mechanically synthesized CuInSex (x = 2, 1.5, 1 or 0.5) alloy precursors on the recrystallization of the CuInSe2 phase during the selenization process was investigated. The nanostructure and phase variation of CuInSex nanopowders were investigated by different characterization techniques. The recrystallization process of the 12 μm thick CuInSex coatings into the CuInSe2 phase during selenization in selenium vapor was investigated via in-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction. The CuInSex precursors with lower selenium content showed a more pronounced phase conversion into CuInSe2 compared to the higher selenium content CuInSex precursors. Moreover, the CuInSex (x = 0.5 and 1) precursor resulted in a denser polycrystalline CuInSe2 semiconductor film with larger crystals. This could be attributed to a more intensive atomic interdiffusion within the CuInSex precursor system compared to a CuInSe2 phase precursor, and the formation of intermediate CuSe and CuSe2 fluxing phases during selenization.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Lausanne Editor
Language Wos 000352225900004 Publication Date 2014-10-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0040-6090; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.879 Times cited 7 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.879; 2014 IF: 1.759
Call Number c:irua:121330 Serial 834
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Author Buffière, M.; Brammertz, G.; Oueslati, S.; El Anzeery, H.; Bekaert, J.; Ben Messaoud, K.; Köble, C.; Khelifi, S.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.
Title Spectral current-voltage analysis of kesterite solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Journal Of Physics D-Applied Physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 17 Pages 175101-175105
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT);
Abstract Current-voltage analysis using different optical band pass filters has been performed on Cu2ZnSnSe4 and Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)(4) thin-film solar cells. When using red or orange light (i.e. wavelengths above 600 nm), a distortion appears in the I-V curve of the Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cell, indicating an additional potential barrier to the current flow in the device for these conditions of illumination. This barrier is reduced when using a Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)(4) absorber. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the barrier visible under red light could be explained by a positive conduction band offset at the front interface coupled with compensating defects in the buffer layer.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000334504800003 Publication Date 2014-04-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 25 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:117170 Serial 3070
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Author Zaghi, A.E.; Buffière, M.; Brammertz, G.; Batuk, M.; Lenaers, N.; Kniknie, B.; Hadermann, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.; Vleugels, J.
Title Mechanical synthesis of high purity Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowder as precursor for printed CISe thin film solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Advanced powder technology Abbreviated Journal Adv Powder Technol
Volume 25 Issue 4 Pages 1254-1261
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Mechanical alloying and ball milling are low cost, up-scalable techniques for the preparation of high purity chalcogenide nanopowders to be used as precursor material for printing thin film solar cells. In this study, high purity copper indium selenium (Cu-In-Se) alloy nanopowders with 20-200 nm particle size were synthesized from macroscopic elemental Cu, In and Se powders via mechanical alloying and planetary ball milling. The particle size distribution, morphology, composition, and purity level of the synthesized Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowders were investigated. Thin Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowder ink coatings, deposited on Mo-coated glass substrates by doctor blading, were converted into a CuInSe2 semiconductor film by selenization heat treatment in Se vapor. The CuInSe2 film showed semiconducting band gap around 1 eV measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy. CuInSe2 absorber layer based thin film solar cell devices were fabricated to assess their performance. The solar cell device showed a total efficiency of 4.8%, as measured on 0.25 cm(2) area cell. (c) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Zeist Editor
Language Wos 000341871700015 Publication Date 2014-03-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-8831; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.659 Times cited 10 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.659; 2014 IF: 2.638
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:119896 Serial 1977
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