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Efficient solar energy conversion with CuInS2

The high absorptivity associated with a direct energy gap in the optimum range for solar-energy conversion makes CuInS 2 a particularly promising material for efficient solar-energy conversion 1 . Achieved solar-to-electrical conversion efficiencies have been limited to ∼6% (refs 2–8). We report her...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1986-06, Vol.321 (6071), p.687-688
Main Authors: Lewerenz, H. J., Goslowsky, H., Husemann, K.-D., Fiechter, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The high absorptivity associated with a direct energy gap in the optimum range for solar-energy conversion makes CuInS 2 a particularly promising material for efficient solar-energy conversion 1 . Achieved solar-to-electrical conversion efficiencies have been limited to ∼6% (refs 2–8). We report here a new heterogeneous poly crystalline n -CuInS 2 based semiconductor which has yielded conversion efficiencies of 9.7% in an electrochemical cell. The high photoactivity is also evident in a Schottky barrier solar cell configuration. The origin of the improved efficiency is attributed to impurity scavenging by In spheres resulting from a modified vapour/liquid/solid (VLS) growth process 9–11 and the influence of the acidic iodine iodide electrolyte on the cell performances.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/321687a0