• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.28-32
• /
• 2022

We investigated the optical and electrical characteristics of ITO/Ag/ITO (IAI) 3-layer thin films prepared by using RF/DC sputtering. To measure the thickness of all thin film samples, we used scanning electron microscopy. As a function of Ag thickness we characterized the optical transmittance and sheet resistance of the IAI samples by using UV-Visible spectroscopy and Hall measurement system, respectively. While the thickness of both ITO thin films in the 3-layered IAI samples were fixed at 50 nm, we varied Ag layer thickness in the range of 0 nm to 11 nm. The optical transmittance and sheet resistance of the 3-layered IAI thin films were found to vary strongly with the thickness of Ag film in the ITO (50 nm)/Ag(t₀)/ITO (50 nm) thin film. For the best transparent conducting oxide (TCO) electrode, we obtained a 3-layered ITO (50 nm)/Ag (t₀ = 8.5 nm)/ITO (50 nm) that showed an avrage optical transmittance, AVT = 90.12% in the visible light region of 380 nm to 780 nm and the sheet resistance, R_□ = 7.24 Ω/□.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.173-176
• /
• 2014

We have investigated the seed layer formation of front side contact using the inkjet printing process. Conductive silver ink was printed on textured Si wafers with 80 nm thick $SiN_x$ anti reflection coating (ARC) layers and thickened by light induced plating (LIP). The inkjet printable sliver inks were specifically formulated for inkjet printing on these substrates. Also, a novel method to prepare nano-sized glass frits by the sol-gel process with particle sizes around 5 nm is presented. Furthermore, dispersion stability of the formulated ink was measured using a Turbiscan. By implementing these glass frits, it was found that a continuous and uniform seed layer with a line width of $40{\mu}m$ could be formed by a inkjet printing process. We also investigated the contact resistance between the front contact and emitter using the transfer length model (TLM). On an emitter with the sheet resistance of $60{\Omega}/sq$, a specific contact resistance (${\rho}_c$) below $10m{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$ could be achieved at a peak firing temperature around $700^{\circ}C$. In addition, the correlation between the contact resistance and interface microstructures were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We found that the added glass particles act as a very effective fire through agent, and Ag crystallites are formed along the interface glass layer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2012.02a
• /
• pp.439-439
• /
• 2012

ZnO 나노로드는 큰 밴드갭 에너지(~3.37 eV)와 60 meV의 높은 엑시톤 결합 에너지(exciton binding energy)를 갖고 있으며, 우수한 전기적, 광학적 특성을 지닌 1차원 나노구조의 금속산화물로서 태양전지 및 광전소자 널리 응용되고 있다. 이러한 ZnO 나노로드를 성장하는 방법 중에 전기화학증착법(electrochemical deposition method)은 전도성 물질위에 증착된 시드층(seed layer)을 성장용액에 담그어 전압을 인가하여 만들기 때문에 기존의 수열합성법(hydrothermal method), 졸-겔 법(sol-gel method)보다 비교적 간단한 공정과정으로 저온에서 빠르게 물질을 성장시킬 수 있는 장점이 있다. 한편, 디스플레이 산업에서 ITO (indium tin oxide)는 투명 전도성 산화물(transparent conductive oxide)로써 가시광 파장영역에서 높은 투과율과 전도성을 가지며, 액정디스플레이, LED (Light emitting diode), 태양전지 등의 다양한 소자에 투명전극 재료로 쓰이고 있다. 또한 최근 ITO를 유연한 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) 기판 위에 증착은 얇고, 가볍고, 휘어지기 쉬워 휴대하기 편하기 때문에 차세대 광전자소자 응용에 가능성이 크다. 본 연구에서는 ZnO 나노로드를 ITO/PET 기판위에 전기화학증착법으로 성장하여, 구조적 및 광학적 특성을 분석하였다. 시드층을 형성하기 위해 RF 마그네트론 스퍼터를 이용하여 ~20 nm 두께의 ZnO 박막을 증착시킨 후, zinc nitrate와 hexamethylenetetramine이 포함된 수용액에 시료를 담그어 전압을 인가하였다. 용액의 농도와 인가전압을 조절하여 여러 가지 성장조건에 대한 ZnO 나노로드의 구조적, 광학적 특성을 비교하였다. 성장된 시료의 형태와 결정성을 조사하기 위해, field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD)을 사용하였으며, UV-vis-NIS spectrophotometer, photoluminescence (PL) 측정장비를 사용하여 광학적 특성을 분석하였다.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.45-49
• /
• 2020

Molybdenum (Mo) thin films are widely used as back contact in copper indium diselenide (CISe) solar cells. However, despite this, there are only few published studies on the properties of Mo and characteristics of CISe solar cells formed on such Mo substrates. In this studies, we investigated the properties of sputter deposited Mo bilayer, and fabricated non-vacuum CISe solar cells using bilayer Mo substrates. The changes in surface morphology and electrical resistivity were traced by varying the gas pressure during deposition of the bottom Mo layer. In porous surface structure, it was confirmed that the electrical resistivity of Mo bilayer was increased as the amount of oxygen bonded to the Mo atoms increased. The resulting solar cell characteristics vary as the bottom Mo layer deposition pressure, and the maximum solar cell efficiency was achieved when the bottom layer was deposited at 7 mTorr with a thickness of 100 nm and the top layer deposited at 3 mTorr with a thickness of 400 nm.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.44-48
• /
• 2023

In heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cells, low-temperature curing paste is used because the passivation layer deteriorates at high temperatures of 200℃ or higher. However, manufacturing HJT photovoltaic (PV) modules is challenging due to the weak peel strength between busbar electrodes and cells after soldering process. For this issue, the electrode thicknesses of the busbars of the HJT solar cell were analyzed, and the peel strengths between electrodes and wires were measured after soldering using an infrared (IR) lamp. As a result, the electrodes printed by the screen printing method had a difference in thickness due to screen mask. Also, as the thickness of the electrode increased, the peel strength of the wire increased.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.16-21
• /
• 2024

Using electrochromic devices (ECD), smart window films that can change the colors from tinted state into transparent state by applying an external voltage were manufactured. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was used as a substrate instead of conventional glass, and ECD modules having a total thickness of about 50 ㎛ were manufactured by sequentially introducing an ITO/Ag/ITO electrode layer, a WO3/TIC2 organic discoloration layer, and a Nafion fluorine electrolyte layer. Through a series of sputtering, bar coating, and thermal compression processes, a large scale smart window with a horizontal and vertical length of more than 80 mm was manufactured. When DC 3.5 V was applied, the transmittance decreased from 54 % to 24 % and moreover the color change could be confirmed even with the naked eye. Reversible color change capability at low external voltage implies that external sunlight can be selectively blocked which is effective in terms of energy saving.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2000.02a
• /
• pp.72-72
• /
• 2000

ITO(Indium-Tin-Oxide)는 n-type 전도 특성을 갖는 산화물 반도체로서 가시광 영역에서의 높은 광투과율 및 낮은 전기 비저항을 나타내기 때문에 태양전지, 액정디스플레이(liquid crystal display), 터치스크린(touch screen) 등의 투명전극 재료, 전계 발광(electroluminescent) 소자, 표면발열체, 열반사 재료 등 다양한 분야에 응용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 타겟 제작에 드는 비용을 줄이고, 타겟 이용의 효율성을 높이기 위해 기존의 세라믹 타겟 대신 분말 타겟을 사용하여 유리 기판 상에 ITO 박막을 DC magnetron sputtering법에 의해 제조하고, 열처리 온도 및 열처리 분위기에 따른 ITO 박막의 전기적 광학적 특성을 조사하였다. 열처리 온도가 10$0^{\circ}C$이하인 경우 열처리하지 않은 시편과 동일하게 In2O3의 (411)면에 해당하는 peak가 관찰되었다. 그러나 20$0^{\circ}C$의 온도로 열처리 할 경우 (411)면 peak의 세기는 상대적으로 감소하고 대신 이전에 나타나지 않았던 (222)면에 대응하는 peak 세기가 현저하게 증가함을 알 수 잇다. 이것은 ITO 박막의 경정성장이 열처리 전 (411)면 방향으로 이루어지나 20$0^{\circ}C$의 온도로 열처리 후 재결정화에 의해 (222)면 방향으로의 우선방위를 갖고 성장함을 의미한다. 또한 주로 높은 기판온도에서 관찰되었던 (211), (400), (411), (440), (622)면 등에 해당하는 peak가 나타남을 볼 수 있었다. 열처리 온도를 더욱 증가시킴에 따라 결정구조에는 큰 변화 없이 (222)면 peak 세기가 증가하였다. 한편 열처리 온도를 더욱 증가시킴에 따라 (222)면 peak 세기가 상대적으로 조금 감소할뿐 XRD회절 결과에는 큰 변화를 관찰할 수 없었다. 이러한 결과로부터 기판을 가열하지 않고 증착한 ITO 박막의 재결정화에 필요한 최소의 열처리 온도는 20$0^{\circ}C$이며, 그 이상의 열처리 온도는 ITO박막의 결정구조에 큰 영향을 미치지 않음을 알 수 있었다. 열처리 전 비저항은 1.1$\times$10-1 $\Omega$-cm 의 값을 가지거나 10$0^{\circ}C$의 온도로 열처리함에 따라 9.8$\times$102$\Omega$-cm 로 약간 감소하였다. 열처리 온도를 20$0^{\circ}C$로 높임에 따라 비저항은 급격히 감소하여 1.7$\times$10-3$\Omega$-cm의 최소값을 나타내었다. 열처리 온도가 10$0^{\circ}C$인 경우 가시광 영역에서의 광투과율은 열처리하지 않은 시편과 비교해 볼 때 약간 증가하였다. 열처리 온도는 20$0^{\circ}C$로 증가시킴에 따라 투과율은 크게 향상되어 흡수단 이상의 파장영역에서 90% 이상의 투과율을 나타내었다. 이러한 광투과율의 향상은 앞서 증착된 ITO 박막이 열처리 중 재결합에 의해 우선 성장 방위가 (411)면 방향에서 (222)면 방향으로 변화되었기 때문으로 생각된다. 그러나 열처리 온도를 20$0^{\circ}C$이상으로 증가시켜도 광투과율은 큰 변화를 나타내지 않았다.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.694-697
• /
• 2019

In recent years, titanium dioxide powders were produced as nanoparticles or nanowires or nanotubes in one-dimensional structure, and mesoporous spheres in 3-D to improve their crystallinities, which were further used as photo-electrode materials and for preventing photo-aging. In this study, a nano sol composed of titanium dioxide exhibiting a high crystallinity was synthesized using n-alcohol as a solvent. The crystallinity of the nano sol was confirmed by FE-SEM, and XRD, while the UV blocking rate confirmed by UV-Vis spectrometry results. Changes in the crystallinity were investigated by varying the types of solvents such as butanol, propanol and ethanol. The synthesized particle sizes were from 200 to 250 nm, and the optical transmittance showed a high blocking rate in the UVB and UVA range. It is expected that a high transmittance at 550 nm wavelength can increase the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells and the UV blocking efficiency.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.277-290
• /
• 2021

A supercapacitor, also called an ultracapacitor or an electrochemical capacitor, stores electrochemical energy by the adsorption/desorption of electrolytic ions or a fast and reversible redox reaction at the electrode surface, which is distinct from the chemical reaction of a battery. A supercapacitor features high specific power, high capacitance, almost infinite cyclability (~ 100,000 cycle), short charging time, good stability, low maintenance cost, and fast frequency response. Supercapacitors have been used in electronic devices to meet the requirements of rapid charging/discharging, such as for memory back-up, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Also, their use is being extended to transportation and large industry applications that require high power/energy density, such as for electric vehicles and power quality systems of smart grids. In power generation using intermittent power sources such as solar and wind, a supercapacitor is configured in the energy storage system together with a battery to compensate for the relatively slow charging/discharging time of the battery, to contribute to extending the lifecycle of the battery, and to improve the system power quality. This article provides a concise overview of the principles, mechanisms, and classification of energy storage of supercapacitors in accordance with the electrode materials. Also, it provides a review of the status of recent research and patent, product, and market trends in supercapacitor technology. There are many challenges to be solved to meet industrial demands such as for high voltage module technologies, high efficiency charging, safety, performance improvement, and competitive prices.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.377-382
• /
• 2012

CdS thin films have been widely used as a buffer layer of CIGS semiconductor solar cells to reduce the lattice mismatch between transparent electrode and absorber layer. In order to prepare the CdS films with high transparency and low resistivity, they were deposited by varying Cd concentration with the constant S concentration in the solution using chemical bath deposition method. They were analyzed in terms of structural, optical and electrical properties of CdS films according to the $[S^{2-}]/[Cd^{2+}]$ ratio. In the case of Cd concentration higher than S concectration, CdS thin films were formed mainly by cluster- by-cluster formation due to the homogeneous reaction between Cd and S in the solution. Therefore the grain size increased and the transmittance decreased. On the other hand, in the case of Cd concentration lower than S concentration, CdS films were formed by heterogeneous reaction on the substrate rather than in the solution. The CdS films have the grains with the uniform circular shape of a few hundreds ${\AA}$. As the Cd concentration increased in the solution, the $[S^{2-}]/[Cd^{2+}]$ ratio decreased and the resistivity decreased by the increase in the carrier concentration due to the formation S vacancy by the excess Cd.