| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S74171/01 |
| Title: |
Electrostatically sprayed thin films for photovoltaic solar cells |
| Principal Investigator: |
Painter, Dr JD |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Cranfield Defence and Security |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
13 September 2004 |
Ends: |
12 January 2008 |
Value (£): |
120,889
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optical Devices & Subsystems |
Solar Technology |
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
The project will produce multilayered thin film solar cells, made from environmentally friendly materials, in a process aimed at minimising chemical waste. This will be based on a novel and efficient spraying system which will be used to produce high quality thin films in a manner which will allow control over the structure and composition of the films. The first part of the project will be to produce CulnS2 solar cells based on the current technology of CulnS2/CdS structure. The CdS will be deposited by chemical bath onto several different superstrates, including commercial TCO glass and glass with sputtered ZnO. Once the CulnS2 deposition is established and producing good quality cells, the project will focus on environmentally friendly materials in the window layer. Replacement of the cadmium containing CdS with ZnS will be the first priority. This material can be deposited by spray deposition, thus the ZnS/CulnS2 films can be deposited in a single sequential step. The project will then focus on the manipulating the ZnS deposition conditions to eradicate the need for the ZnO layer and reduce the CulnS2 film thickness and hence the material usage. Hence the project will produce high quality CulnS2 solar cells from a single sequential deposition process.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |