Ternary single-source precursors for polycrystalline thin-film solar cells

The development of thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, spice-qualified substrates provides an attractive cost solution for fabricating solar arrays with high specific power (W kg(-1)). The use of a polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorber layer for thin-film solar cells is considered as the next generation in photovoltaic devices. At NASA GRC we have focused on the development of new single-source precursors (SSPs) and their utility to deposit the chalcopyrite semiconducting layer (CIS) onto flexible substrates for solar-cell fabrication. The syntheses and thermal modulation of SSPs via molecular engineering are described. Thin-film fabrication studies demonstrate that the SSPs can be used in a spray chemical vapor deposition process for depositing CIS at reduced temperatures, and result in electrical properties that are suitable for photovoltaic devices. Copyright (C) 2002, John Wiley Sons, Ltd.