scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Author

J. Britt

Bio: J. Britt is an academic researcher from University of South Florida. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cadmium telluride photovoltaics & Thin film. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 13 publications receiving 1624 citations.

Papers
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the fabrication and characteristics of high efficiency thin-film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells are described, and a high efficiency solar cell with an AM1.5 efficiency of 15.8% is reported.
Abstract: This letter describes the fabrication and characteristics of high‐efficiency thin‐film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells. CdS films have been prepared by chemical bath deposition and p‐CdTe films have been deposited by close‐spaced sublimation. A CdS/CdTe solar cell of greater than 1 cm2 area with an AM1.5 efficiency of 15.8% is reported.

1,058 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, thin-film CdS/CdTe solar cells have been prepared using aqueous solution and p−cdTe films deposited by close-spaced sublimation (CSS) by optimizing the temperature and composition of the solution.
Abstract: Cadmium telluride is a promising thin‐film photovoltaic material as shown by the more than 10% efficient CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells. In this work, thin‐film CdS/CdTe solar cells have been prepared using CdS films grown from an aqueous solution and p‐CdTe films deposited by close‐spaced sublimation (CSS). The properties of CdS films deposited from an ammonical solution of a Cd‐salt, an ammonium salt, and thiourea have been controlled by optimizing the temperature and composition of the solution. The solution‐grown CdS films have a high photoconductivity ratio, and its optical transmission is superior to that of vacuum evaporated CdS films. The properties of p‐CdTe films deposited by CSS have been optimized by controlling the temperature and composition of the source material, and the substrate temperature. The properties of CdS/CdTe heterojunctions have been studied; junction photovoltage spectroscopy is used for the qualitative comparison of junction characteristics. Solar cells of 1‐cm2 area wit...

184 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, polycrystalline films of Cd1−xZnxS have been deposited on glass, SnO2:F/glass, and ZnO: F/glass substrates by the reaction of dimethylcadmium (DMCd), diethlyzinc (DEZn), and propyl mercaptan (PM) in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Abstract: Cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS), direct gap semiconductors with room temperature band‐gap energy of 2.42 and 3.66 eV, respectively, form a continuous series of solid solutions (Cd1−xZnxS). The band‐gap energy of Cd1−xZnxS can be tailored in the range of the binary band gaps. In this work, polycrystalline films of Cd1−xZnxS have been deposited on glass, SnO2:F/glass, and ZnO:F/glass substrates by the reaction of dimethylcadmium (DMCd), diethlyzinc (DEZn), and propyl mercaptan (PM) in a hydrogen atmosphere. The deposition rate and properties of Cd1−xZnxS films depend on the substrate temperature and the composition and flow rate of the reaction mixture. The deposition rate of Cd1−xZnxS films has been measured at 375 and 425 °C as a function of the DMCd/DEZn molar ratio in the reaction mixture. Without intentional doping, the deposited films are of high lateral resistivity, and the resistivity increases with increasing ZnS concentration. The electrical resistivity of the deposited films can be r...

90 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a thin-film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells have been prepared by the successive deposition of thin films of fluorine-doped SnO/sub 2/, Cs, cdTe, and an ohmic contact on glass substrates, followed by the deposition of an antireflection coating.
Abstract: Thin-film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells have been prepared by the successive deposition of thin films of fluorine-doped SnO/sub 2/, CdS, p-CdTe, and an ohmic contact on glass substrates, followed by the deposition of an antireflection coating. The properties of CdS/CdTe heterojunctions have been studied. Under global AM1.5 conditions, a solar cell of about 1 cm/sup 2/ area has an open-circuit voltage of 805+or-5 mV, a short-circuit current density of 24.4+or-0.3 mA/cm/sup 2/, and a fill factor of 70.5+or-0.5%, corresponding to a total area conversion efficiency of 14.6+or-0.3%, verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. >

90 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, polycrystalline films of Cd1−xZnxTe have been deposited on glass, CdS/SnO2:F/glass, and Cd 1−xznxS/snO2/glass substrates at 400 °C by the reaction of dimethylcadmium (DMCd), diethlyzinc (DEZn), and diisopropyltellurium(DIPTe) in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Abstract: Cadmium telluride (CdTe) and zinc telluride (ZnTe), direct gap semiconductors with room‐temperature band gap energies of 1.45 and 2.25 eV, respectively, form a continuous series of solid solutions (Cd1−xZnxTe). The band gap energy of Cd1−xZnxTe can be tailored in the 1.45–2.25 eV range. Cd1−xZnxTe with band gap energy of 1.65–1.75 eV is suitable as the upper member of a two‐cell tandem structure for the photovoltaic conversion of solar energy. In this work, polycrystalline films of Cd1−xZnxTe have been deposited on glass, CdS/SnO2:F/glass, and Cd1−xZnxS/SnO2:F/glass substrates at 400 °C by the reaction of dimethylcadmium (DMCd), diethlyzinc (DEZn), and diisopropyltellurium (DIPTe) in a hydrogen atmosphere. The composition of Cd1−xZnxTe films determined by wavelength dispersive spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction has been correlated with the band gap energy deduced from the junction photovoltage spectroscopy and optical transmission. The structural and electrical properties of Cd0.7Zn0.3Te (band gap energy ...

82 citations


Cited by
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discussed the steps that have led to this discovery, and the future of this rapidly advancing concept have been considered, and it is likely that the next few years of solar research will advance this technology to the very highest efficiencies while retaining the very lowest cost and embodied energy.
Abstract: Over the last 12 months, we have witnessed an unexpected breakthrough and rapid evolution in the field of emerging photovoltaics, with the realization of highly efficient solid-state hybrid solar cells based on organometal trihalide perovskite absorbers. In this Perspective, the steps that have led to this discovery are discussed, and the future of this rapidly advancing concept have been considered. It is likely that the next few years of solar research will advance this technology to the very highest efficiencies while retaining the very lowest cost and embodied energy. Provided that the stability of the perovskite-based technology can be proven, we will witness the emergence of a contender for ultimately low-cost solar power.

2,506 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A p-n junction diode based on an electrostatically doped tungsten diselenide (WSe2) monolayer is reported, which is presented as a photovoltaic solar cell, a photodiode and a light-emitting diode, and obtained light-power conversion and electroluminescence efficiencies of 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively.
Abstract: The limitations of the bulk semiconductors currently used in electronic devices-rigidity, heavy weight and high costs--have recently shifted the research efforts to two-dimensional atomic crystals such as graphene and atomically thin transition-metal dichalcogenides. These materials have the potential to be produced at low cost and in large areas, while maintaining high material quality. These properties, as well as their flexibility, make two-dimensional atomic crystals attractive for applications such as solar cells or display panels. The basic building blocks of optoelectronic devices are p-n junction diodes, but they have not yet been demonstrated in a two-dimensional material. Here, we report a p-n junction diode based on an electrostatically doped tungsten diselenide (WSe2) monolayer. We present applications as a photovoltaic solar cell, a photodiode and a light-emitting diode, and obtain light-power conversion and electroluminescence efficiencies of ∼ 0.5% and ∼ 0.1%, respectively. Given recent advances in the large-scale production of two-dimensional crystals, we expect them to profoundly impact future developments in solar, lighting and display technologies.

1,257 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Thin film solar cells are a promising approach for terrestrial and space photovoltaics and offer a wide variety of choices in terms of the device design and fabrication, but it would surely be determined by the simplicity of manufacturability and the cost per reliable watt.
Abstract: Thin film solar cells (TFSC) are a promising approach for terrestrial and space photovoltaics and offer a wide variety of choices in terms of the device design and fabrication. A variety of substrates (flexible or rigid, metal or insulator) can be used for deposition of different layers (contact, buffer, absorber, reflector, etc.) using different techniques (PVD, CVD, ECD, plasma-based, hybrid, etc.). Such versatility allows tailoring and engineering of the layers in order to improve device performance. For large-area devices required for realistic applications, thin-film device fabrication becomes complex and requires proper control over the entire process sequence. Proper understanding of thin-film deposition processes can help in achieving high-efficiency devices over large areas, as has been demonstrated commercially for different cells. Research and development in new, exotic and simple materials and devices, and innovative, but simple manufacturing processes need to be pursued in a focussed manner. Which cell(s) and which technologies will ultimately succeed commercially continue to be anybody's guess, but it would surely be determined by the simplicity of manufacturability and the cost per reliable watt. Cheap and moderately efficient TFSC are expected to receive a due commercial place under the sun.

1,133 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the fabrication and characteristics of high efficiency thin-film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells are described, and a high efficiency solar cell with an AM1.5 efficiency of 15.8% is reported.
Abstract: This letter describes the fabrication and characteristics of high‐efficiency thin‐film CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cells. CdS films have been prepared by chemical bath deposition and p‐CdTe films have been deposited by close‐spaced sublimation. A CdS/CdTe solar cell of greater than 1 cm2 area with an AM1.5 efficiency of 15.8% is reported.

1,058 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A low-cost, solution-based deposition procedure utilizing nanocomposites of graphene and TiO2 nanoparticles as the electron collection layers in meso-superstructured perovskite solar cells shows the potential to contribute significantly toward the development of low- cost solar cells.
Abstract: The highest efficiencies in solution-processable perovskite-based solar cells have been achieved using an electron collection layer that requires sintering at 500 °C. This is unfavorable for low-cost production, applications on plastic substrates, and multijunction device architectures. Here we report a low-cost, solution-based deposition procedure utilizing nanocomposites of graphene and TiO2 nanoparticles as the electron collection layers in meso-superstructured perovskite solar cells. The graphene nanoflakes provide superior charge-collection in the nanocomposites, enabling the entire device to be fabricated at temperatures no higher than 150 °C. These solar cells show remarkable photovoltaic performance with a power conversion efficiency up to 15.6%. This work demonstrates that graphene/metal oxide nanocomposites have the potential to contribute significantly toward the development of low-cost solar cells.

948 citations