Low-Voltage Electrophoretic Deposition of Nanocrystal-Based Copper-Chalcogenide Thin-Films

Low-Voltage Electrophoretic Deposition of Nanocrystal-Based Copper-Chalcogenide Thin-Films
Author: Andrew Dillon
Publisher:
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2018
Genre: Chalcogenides
ISBN:

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Photovoltaic (PV) devices are a clean and renewable source of energy, yet their widespread adoption is hindered by their cost, much of which is dominated by fabrication of the devices themselves. Current methods for PV device fabrication are slow and energy intensive. While much work has been done to engineer solution-processable precursors to thin-film electronic materials, particularly for PV applications, relatively little has been done in developing scalable methods for depositing these "inks". In this work, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) is explored as a method for the fabrication of semiconducting thin films. For photovoltaic applications, a low process voltage is highly desirable to avoid damaging the accreting semiconductor. Herein is reported a continuous flow reactor design that can operate at reduced voltage compared to a traditional batch reactor while preserving the electrophoretic velocity of the NCs by utilizing narrow electrode spacing and removing film thickness limitations by continuously flowing the colloidal dispersion of NCs. Through modeling and experiment, the process parameters necessary to completely utilize the NCs in the feed solution, thereby achieving nearly 100% atom economy in the deposition process, are demonstrated. For electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to achieve its potential as a method for assembling functional semiconductors, however, it is necessary to understand both what governs the threshold voltage for deposition and how to reduce that threshold. Post-synthetic modification of the surface chemistry of all-inorganic copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) nanocrystals (NCs) enables EPD at voltages below 2V--a six-fold or greater improvement over previous examples of non-oxide semiconductors. The chemical exchange of the original surfactant-based NC-surface ligands with selenide ions yields essentially bare, highly surface-charged NCs. Thus, both the electrophoretic mobility and electrochemical reactivity of these particles are increased, favoring deposition, resulting in thick, uniform and crack-free films without sintering from stable, well-dispersed colloidal starting materials. In-situ imaging of the reactor during deposition provides a quantitative measure of the electric field in the bulk of the reactor; this, coupled with chronoamperometry, reveals the fundamental reaction and mass transport limitations of low-voltage EPD, and a crossover from mass transport-limited to reaction rate-limited EPD is observed. In order to fully realize an all-solution-processed PV device, every aspect of the device must be fabricated by solution-processing methods. Consequently, solution-processed transparent conductors are also studied. 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, known collectively as MXenes, are highly conductive and water-dispersible, suggesting their utility as solution-assembled optoelectronic and plasmonic materials. Here, 2D Ti3C2 is assembled from solution into optical quality, nanometers-thin films that, at 6500 Siemens-per-centimeter, surpass the conductivity of other solution-processed 2D materials due to their metal-like free-electron densities. Simultaneously they transmit >97% of visible light per-nanometer-thickness, constituting the first example of a new class of solution-processed, carbide-based 2D optoelectronic materials.

Quantitative Electrophoretic Deposition of Nanocrystal Films from Non-aqueous Suspensions

Quantitative Electrophoretic Deposition of Nanocrystal Films from Non-aqueous Suspensions
Author: Krishna Raj Panta
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre:
ISBN:

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This study presents a novel method to correlate the mass and charge transfer kinetics during the electrophoretic deposition of nanocrystal films by using a purpose-built double quartz crystal microbalance combined with simultaneous current-measurement. Our data support a multistep process for film formation: generation of charged nanocrystal flux, neutralization via charge transfer at the electrode, and polarization of neutral nanocrystals near the electrode surface. The neutralized particles are then subject to dielectrophoretic forces that reduce diffusion away from the interface, generating a sufficiently high neutral particle concentration at the interface to form a film. The correlation of mass and charge transfer enables quantification of the nanocrystal charge, the fraction of charged nanocrystals, and the initial sticking coefficient of the particles. These quantities permit calculation of the film thickness, providing a theoretical basis for using concentration and voltage as process parameters to grow films of targeted thicknesses.

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Based Ternary Metal Chalcogenides

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Based Ternary Metal Chalcogenides
Author: Jose Javier Sanchez Rodriguez
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre: Electronic dissertations
ISBN:

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The current climate crisis is a great concern to humankind due to the devastating effects of the consistent rise of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. A viable alternative to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the development of solar harvesting technologies. The need to develop new semiconductor materials with more capacity to absorb light and convert it into electricity is rapidly growing. A promising class of materials for this purpose are copper-based ternary chalcogenides such as CuCrS2, CuSb1-xBixS2, and Cu3VS4.The synthesis and characterization of copper-based ternary chalcogenides nanocrystals (NCs) have gained popularity in the scientific community due to their novel, physical, chemical, optical, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties. NCs can be precursors to the next-generation nanoparticle-based thin film solar cells. This generation of thin film solar cells is advantageous in terms of the compounding benefits. Materials in the forms of NCs offer size, and morphology-dependent properties, high absorption coefficients, and tunable bandgaps. Nanoparticle-based thin film solar cells use very thin layers of material, lowering their production cost while making the systems flexible, more efficient, and compatible with new and existing infrastructure.This dissertation addresses several challenging issues and realizes the successful fabrication of novel CuCrS2, CuSb1-xBixS2 (x=1, 0.18), and Cu3VS4 NCs-based thin films. These systems were synthesized using two different thermal decomposition methods: heat-up (HU) and hot-injection (HI). This dissertation presents a detailed study involving the synthesis and characterization of the above-mentioned semiconductors by applying the developed nano-to-thin film approach. Their optical and electrical properties were explored, and their respective optical bandgaps were determined using UV-vis and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The ability of the fabricated thin films to generate a photocurrent under sunlight irradiation was explored, reporting their responsivities and current conversion efficiencies.

Chemically Deposited Nanocrystalline Metal Oxide Thin Films

Chemically Deposited Nanocrystalline Metal Oxide Thin Films
Author: Fabian I. Ezema
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 926
Release: 2021-06-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030684628

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This book guides beginners in the areas of thin film preparation, characterization, and device making, while providing insight into these areas for experts. As chemically deposited metal oxides are currently gaining attention in development of devices such as solar cells, supercapacitors, batteries, sensors, etc., the book illustrates how the chemical deposition route is emerging as a relatively inexpensive, simple, and convenient solution for large area deposition. The advancement in the nanostructured materials for the development of devices is fully discussed.

Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells

Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells
Author: Wilfried G. J. H. M. van Sark
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 588
Release: 2011-11-16
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3642222757

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Today’s solar cell multi-GW market is dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer technology, however new cell concepts are entering the market. One very promising solar cell design to answer these needs is the silicon hetero-junction solar cell, of which the emitter and back surface field are basically produced by a low temperature growth of ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon. In this design, amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) constitutes both „emitter“ and „base-contact/back surface field“ on both sides of a thin crystalline silicon wafer-base (c-Si) where the electrons and holes are photogenerated; at the same time, a-Si:H passivates the c-Si surface. Recently, cell efficiencies above 23% have been demonstrated for such solar cells. In this book, the editors present an overview of the state-of-the-art in physics and technology of amorphous-crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells. The heterojunction concept is introduced, processes and resulting properties of the materials used in the cell and their heterointerfaces are discussed and characterization techniques and simulation tools are presented.

Chemical Abstracts

Chemical Abstracts
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 2726
Release: 2002
Genre: Chemistry
ISBN:

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Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials

Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials
Author: David Mitzi
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 522
Release: 2008-12-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0470407611

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Discover the materials set to revolutionize the electronics industry The search for electronic materials that can be cheaply solution-processed into films, while simultaneously providing quality device characteristics, represents a major challenge for materials scientists. Continuous semiconducting thin films with large carrier mobilities are particularly desirable for high-speed microelectronic applications, potentially providing new opportunities for the development of low-cost, large-area, flexible computing devices, displays, sensors, and solar cells. To date, the majority of solution-processing research has focused on molecular and polymeric organic films. In contrast, this book reviews recent achievements in the search for solution-processed inorganic semiconductors and other critical electronic components. These components offer the potential for better performance and more robust thermal and mechanical stability than comparable organic-based systems. Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials covers everything from the more traditional fields of sol-gel processing and chemical bath deposition to the cutting-edge use of nanomaterials in thin-film deposition. In particular, the book focuses on materials and techniques that are compatible with high-throughput, low-cost, and low-temperature deposition processes such as spin coating, dip coating, printing, and stamping. Throughout the text, illustrations and examples of applications are provided to help the reader fully appreciate the concepts and opportunities involved in this exciting field. In addition to presenting the state-of-the-art research, the book offers extensive background material. As a result, any researcher involved or interested in electronic device fabrication can turn to this book to become fully versed in the solution-processed inorganic materials that are set to revolutionize the electronics industry.