Explanation for low-efficiency Cu2O Schottky-barrier solar cells

Abstract
Surface analyses combined with barrier‐height studies indicate that Cu2O Schottky barriers made with low‐work‐function metals (Yb, Mg, and Mn) are essentially Cu/Cu2O cells due to reduction of the Cu2O surface and subsequent interdiffusion phenomena. The copper‐rich region essentially determines the barrier height. As a result, efficiencies of Cu2O Schottky‐barrier solar cells are usually less than 1%. It is concluded that to achieve significant increases in Cu2O cell efficiencies, MIS or heterojunction device structures must be utilized.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: