Chalcopyrite Solar Cell Coating Solution Using Hydrazine-Free DMSO Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coating solutions for chalcopyrite solar cells using hydrazine as a solvent face safety concerns due to its explosive properties and result in short storage stability due to copper selenide precipitation, necessitating a safer and more stable alternative.
Innovation Solution
A coating solution is developed using hydrazine-coordinated Cu, In, and Ga chalcogenide complexes dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, eliminating the need for hydrazine and preventing copper selenide precipitation, thereby enhancing safety and storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrazine is used as the coating solvent, then the coating solution can be prepared, but safety problems arise due to the explosive properties of hydrazine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes hydrazine from the coating solution system entirely. Instead of using hydrazine as the solvent, the invention employs alternative solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), diethyl carbonate, or their mixtures, thereby eliminating the explosive hazard while maintaining the coating solution's functionality for forming CIGS light-absorbing layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances to replace hydrazine's solvent function. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diethyl carbonate serve as intermediary solvents that can dissolve the metal salts (Cu, In, Ga) and chalcogenides without exhibiting explosive properties, thus mediating between the need for a coating solution and the safety requirement
2Duration of action of stationary object
If hydrazine is used as the coating solvent, then the coating solution can be prepared, but the storage period becomes short due to copper selenide precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes hydrazine from the coating solution system, which was causing copper selenide precipitation. By replacing hydrazine with stable alternative solvents like DMSO or diethyl carbonate, the coating solution maintains its compositional stability and prevents unwanted precipitation reactions during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system from hydrazine to DMSO/diethyl carbonate. This parameter change fundamentally alters the solution chemistry, preventing copper selenide precipitation and extending the coating solution's stable storage period while maintaining its coating performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures a safer production process and improves storage stability of the coating solution, maintaining performance without hydrazine-related hazards and amine contamination, leading to enhanced photovoltaic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a coating solution which comprises a hydrazine-coordinated Cu chalcogenide complex, a hydrazine-coordinated In chalcogenide complex and a hydrazine-coordinated Ga chalcogenide complex dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide
Data Source
AI summary
A coating solution for forming a light-absorbing layer of a chalcopyrite solar cell, including a hydrazine-coordinated Cu chalcogenide complex, a hydrazine-coordinated In chalcogenide complex and hydrazine-coordinated Ga chalcogenide complex dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, the hydrazine-coordinated Cu chalcogenide complex being obtained by dissolving Cu or Cu2Se and a chalcogen in dimethylsulfoxide having hydrazine added, and adding a poor solvent to the resulting solution.