Nanoscale doping profiles within CdTe grain boundaries and at the CdS/CdTe interface revealed by atom probe tomography and STEM EBIC

Autor(en)
J. Poplawsky, Chen Li, Naba Paudel, Wei Guo, Yanfa Yan, Stephen J. Pennycook
Abstrakt

Segregated elements and their diffusion profiles within grain boundaries and interfaces resulting from post deposition heat treatments are revealed using atom probe tomography (APT), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and electron beam induced current (EBIC) techniques. The results demonstrate how these techniques complement each other to provide conclusive evidence for locations of space charge regions and mechanisms that create them at the nanoscale. Most importantly, a Cl dopant profile that extends ~5 nm into CdTe grains interfacing the CdS is shown using APT and STEM synergy, which has been shown to push the pn-junction into the CdTe layer indicative of a homojunction (revealed by STEM EBIC). In addition, Cu and Cl concentrations within grain boundaries within several nms and μms from the CdS/CdTe interface are compared, Na segregation of <0.1% is detected, and S variations of ~1-3% are witnessed between CdTe grains close to the CdS/CdTe interface. The segregation and diffusion of these elements have a direct impact on the material properties, such as band gap energy and n/p type properties. Optimization of the interfacial and grain boundary doping will lead to higher efficiency solar cells.

Organisation(en)
Department für Lithosphärenforschung
Externe Organisation(en)
University of Toledo, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , National University of Singapore (NUS)
Journal
Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells
Band
150
Seiten
95-101
Anzahl der Seiten
7
ISSN
0927-0248
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2016.02.004
Publikationsdatum
06-2016
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
103018 Materialphysik
Schlagwörter
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Link zum Portal
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/5d927e4f-5ea9-41b6-964e-861bcbb93b91