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The formation mechanism for printed silver-contacts for silicon solar cells

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy D. Fields

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory
    Present address: SolarWorld Americas, 25300 NW Evergreen Road, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124, USA)

  • Md. Imteyaz Ahmad

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    Present address: Department of Ceramic Engineering Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India)

  • Vanessa L. Pool

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • Jiafan Yu

    (Stanford University)

  • Douglas G. Van Campen

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • Philip A. Parilla

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Michael F. Toney

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • Maikel F. A. M. van Hest

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

Abstract

Screen-printing provides an economically attractive means for making Ag electrical contacts to Si solar cells, but the use of Ag substantiates a significant manufacturing cost, and the glass frit used in the paste to enable contact formation contains Pb. To achieve optimal electrical performance and to develop pastes with alternative, abundant and non-toxic materials, a better understanding the contact formation process during firing is required. Here, we use in situ X-ray diffraction during firing to reveal the reaction sequence. The findings suggest that between 500 and 650 °C PbO in the frit etches the SiNx antireflective-coating on the solar cell, exposing the Si surface. Then, above 650 °C, Ag+ dissolves into the molten glass frit – key for enabling deposition of metallic Ag on the emitter surface and precipitation of Ag nanocrystals within the glass. Ultimately, this work clarifies contact formation mechanisms and suggests approaches for development of inexpensive, nontoxic solar cell contacting pastes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy D. Fields & Md. Imteyaz Ahmad & Vanessa L. Pool & Jiafan Yu & Douglas G. Van Campen & Philip A. Parilla & Michael F. Toney & Maikel F. A. M. van Hest, 2016. "The formation mechanism for printed silver-contacts for silicon solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11143
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11143
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    Cited by:

    1. Nivelle, Philippe & Tsanakas, John A. & Poortmans, Jef & Daenen, Michaël, 2021. "Stress and strain within photovoltaic modules using the finite element method: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

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