Electrode Composition for Solar Cells with Low Contact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar cells face challenges in minimizing contact resistance and series resistance while maintaining high efficiency, particularly as the area of the solar cell increases, and existing electrode compositions may not adequately address these issues to ensure optimal performance across varying firing temperatures and wafer sheet resistances.
Innovation Solution
An electrode composition comprising a conductive powder, glass frit, and an organic binder with a specific chemical formulation, which includes a moiety represented by Chemical Formula 1, is used to form electrodes. This composition includes 60-95% conductive powder, 0.5-20% glass frit, and 1-20% organic binder, with the glass frit enhancing adhesion and reducing contact resistance, and the organic binder improving print characteristics and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the area of the solar cell is increased to improve power generation capacity, then the energy output increases, but the contact resistance and series resistance increase leading to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrode paste, specifically using cellulose derivatives with controlled degrees of substitution and specific molecular weight ranges to optimize electrical conductivity and reduce resistance in larger solar cell areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrode paste formulation combining conductive powders with specific cellulose derivative binders and glass frits, where each component contributes to reducing contact resistance while maintaining adhesion, thereby enabling efficient current collection across expanded solar cell areas
2Ease of manufacture
If existing electrode compositions are used to maintain simplicity, then the manufacturing process remains easy, but the performance is insufficient across varying firing temperatures and wafer sheet resistances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a multi-functional electrode paste formulation where the cellulose derivative binder simultaneously provides adhesion, controls rheology, influences sintering behavior, and enhances electrical conductivity, allowing a single composition to perform multiple functions across varying processing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically adjusts key parameters including the degree of substitution of cellulose derivatives, glass frit composition ratios, and conductive powder particle size distribution to create a robust formulation that maintains consistent performance across different firing temperatures and substrate resistances
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 electrode composition achieves low contact resistance, secure adhesion, and high-resolution fine patterns, enhancing solar cell efficiency and stability across a range of firing temperatures, thereby improving the overall performance of solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
the glass frit enhancing adhesion and reducing contact resistance, and the organic binder improving print characteristics and stability
Implementation Method 2
the glass frit enhancing adhesion and reducing contact resistance
Implementation Method 3
Solar cells generate electrical energy using the photovoltaic effect of a p-n junction, which converts photons of, e.g., sunlight, into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode composition, an electrode, and a solar cell, the composition including a conductive powder; glass frit; an organic binder; and a solvent, wherein the organic binder is a compound that includes a moiety represented by Chemical Formula 1: