Oxidation-resistant Cu-based metallisation for Si solar cells

Hyung Jin Son, Kuen Kee Hong, Byeong Kwon Ju, Sung Hyun Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Herein, the oxidation resistance effect of B on the high-temperature sintering of Cu-based metallisation for crystalline Si solar cells is described. Atmospheric sintering of B-containing Cu–Ag core-shell paste printed on a Si wafer is performed at high temperatures (up to 800°C). The oxidation of Cu is effectively prevented by B, affording a brown bulky Cu–Ag film with low electrical resistivity (order of 10−6 Ω cm). The Cu–Ag film formation is monitored via microscopic and crystallographic analyses. The Cu–Ag film exhibits increased electrical conductivity with increasing B content from 0 to 5 wt.%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data reveal that the B2O3 formed on the Cu–Ag film surface prevents external oxygen diffusion into the bulk. The developed paste is applied to a crystalline Si solar cell, affording a maximum efficiency of 17.55%. These results show the practical applicability of Cu-based electrodes in the solar cell industry.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1264-1271
    Number of pages8
    JournalEnergy Science and Engineering
    Volume10
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2022 Apr

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by the New & Renewable Energy of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant awarded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (Nos. 20203030010300 and 20213030010290).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2022 The Authors. Energy Science & Engineering published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

    Keywords

    • boron
    • copper oxidation
    • copper paste
    • metallisation
    • silicon solar cell

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
    • General Energy

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