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

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Abstract
The development of thin‐film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space‐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 © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.