Cu(InGa)Se/sub 2/ thin films by elemental co-evaporation/sputtering and large area module results
We report process optimization and understanding resulting in high quality Cu(In,Ga)Se/sub 2/ (CIGS) films and high efficiency devices/modules using a hybrid process for CIGS formation. In the hybrid process, the Cu is supplied by magnetron sputtering, and the In, Ga, and Se are supplied by linear thermal sources. The advantages of the hybrid process include: i) the ease and precision of Cu thickness control; and ii) flexibility to adjust the Ga depth profile. The investigation was conducted in a large-area, pilot-line system. Among others, important parameters were found to be the Cu/(In+Ga) ratio of the Cu/(InGa)/sub 2/Se/sub 3/ precursor, selenization temperature, and timing of the Ga and In fluxes. Cell efficiencies of over 13.0% and module efficiencies of 7.5% (26 W, 0.35 m/sup 2/) were achieved. The film properties were investigated by XRD, SEM, and AES.
Structure, chemistry, and growth mechanisms of photovoltaic quality thin‐film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 grown from a mixed‐phase precursor
The formation chemistry and growth dynamics of thin‐film CuInSe2 grown by physical vapor deposition have been considered along the reaction path leading from the CuxSe:CuInSe2 two‐phase region to single‐phase CuInSe2. The (Cu2Se)β(CuInSe2)1−β (0<β≤1) mixed‐phase precursor is created in a manner consistent with a liquid‐phase assisted growth process. At substrate temperatures above 500 °C and in the presence of excess Se, the film structure is columnar through the film thickness with column diameters in the range of 2.0–5.0 μm. Films deposited on glass are described as highly oriented with nearly exclusive (112) crystalline orientation. CuInSe2:CuxSe phase separation is identified and occurs primarily normal to the substrate plane at free surfaces. Single‐phase CuInSe2 is created by the conversion of the CuxSe into CuInSe2 upon exposure to In and Se activity. Noninterrupted columnar growth continues at substrate temperatures above 500 °C. The addition of In in excess of that required for conversion produce...
Preparation and performance evaluation of swine manure bio-oil modified rubber asphalt binder
Abstract In order to study the effect of the preparation process of swine manure bio-oil modified rubber asphalt binder on the rheological properties of the binder, the matrix asphalt and asphalt rubber were used as the control group, and swine manure bio-oil modified rubber asphalt binders were obtained by three preparation processes. Then the rheological properties of five binders were evaluated by rotational viscosity, DSR, MSCR and BBR tests. The results show that the addition of swine manure bio-oil to asphalt rubber is beneficial to the workability, but cause negative effect on its high temperature performance, fatigue performance and low temperature crack resistance. The preparation method of premixing bio-oil and rubber powder can reduce the degradation of high-temperature performance of asphalt rubber caused by addition of swine manure bio-oil to a certain extent. The fatigue properties of the three bio-binders are close, and the critical temperature is less than 25 °C. The process of premixing bio-oil and rubber powder will increase the creep stiffness and reduce the low-temperature performance. However, the low-temperature performance of the binder obtained by this process is still better than that of the matrix asphalt and can meet the requirements of use. Therefore, it is recommended to use the preparation process of premixing bio-oil and rubber powder to prepare swine manure bio-oil modified asphalt rubber.