Fabrication of Cu electrodes using Cu nanoparticles as an alternative to Ag finger electrodes for a low-cost and high-efficiency Si photovoltaic cell

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K16155
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Design and evaluation of sustainable and environmental conscious system
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Shun Yokoyama 東北大学, 環境科学研究科, 助教 (30706809)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: Cuナノ粒子 / 低温焼結 / 抵抗率 / 太陽電池 / 集電電極 / 電気泳動法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a low-cost synthesis method of Cu nanoparticles and accumulation method of Cu nanoparticles on a solar cell substrate for a low-cost and high-efficiency Si photovoltaic cell. Cu nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous phase near room temperature using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and citric acid as a capping agent based on chemical reduction. The Cu nanoparticles obtained from the low-cost method showed low resistivity (7μΩcm) after heat treatment at 200℃。After the synthesis, the Cu nanoparticles were fully modified with citric acid by treatment with citric acid solution. The citric acid modified Cu nanoparticles are stable in aqueous solution and then were applied to electrophoretic deposition for fabricating of Cu electrodes on solar cell substrates. After the electrophoretic deposition, the Cu nanoparticles were accumulated on the solar cell substrates and subsequently were sintered, resulting in Cu electrodes.

Free Research Field

材料科学