Nickel Oxide Sol-Gel Ink for Uniform Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nickel oxide precursor inks for photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices suffer from incomplete surface coverage and poor surface morphology, leading to undesirable optoelectronic properties, particularly in perovskite photovoltaics, resulting in increased non-radiative recombination and reduced open-circuit voltage.
Innovation Solution
A nickel oxide precursor ink composition comprising nickel nitrate, metal acetates, and a solvent combination of diols, alcohol amines, and water, which is formulated and processed to form a nickel oxide layer through a method involving solvent preparation, mixing, and annealing, optimizing the ink's formulation and deposition techniques for improved film quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional nickel oxide precursor inks are used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the surface coverage is incomplete and surface morphology is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the precursor ink by incorporating metal acetates (nickel acetate, copper acetate) alongside nickel nitrate, and uses a specific solvent mixture (ethylene glycol, ethanolamine, water) to achieve complete surface coverage and improved morphology. This chemical parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite ink formulation containing multiple metal salts (nickel nitrate, nickel acetate, copper acetate) and a multi-component solvent system. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of complete surface coverage, uniform morphology, and desired optoelectronic properties, overcoming the limitations of conventional single-component inks.
2Reliability
If conventional nickel oxide precursor inks are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the surface morphology is poor leading to reduced open-circuit voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters including metal salt ratios, solvent ratios, and concentration levels to produce nickel oxide films with superior surface morphology. This parameter optimization achieves complete surface coverage and uniform grain structure, thereby improving open-circuit voltage without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves uniform local quality across the entire substrate surface through the optimized ink formulation, ensuring consistent surface morphology and complete coverage. This local quality improvement directly enhances the reliability and open-circuit voltage of the photovoltaic device.
3Loss of energy
If conventional nickel oxide layers are formed, then the deposition process is simple, but non-radiative recombination increases due to incomplete surface coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite ink formulation with multiple metal acetates and nitrates in a multi-component solvent system to achieve complete surface coverage. This eliminates the incomplete coverage that causes non-radiative recombination losses, thereby reducing energy loss without requiring complex deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the chemical parameters of the precursor ink, including the addition of copper acetate and optimization of solvent composition, to achieve complete and uniform surface coverage. This parameter modification eliminates defects that cause non-radiative recombination, reducing energy loss effectively.
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 enhances the surface coverage and morphology of nickel oxide layers, improving the optoelectronic properties by increasing the short-circuit current and reducing parasitic absorption, thereby enhancing the performance of photovoltaic devices.
Implementation Method 1
annealing the nickel oxide precursor ink at a temperature between 250° to 400° Celsius for between 10 minutes and 6 hours
Implementation Method 2
forming a nickel oxide layer through a method involving solvent preparation, mixing, and annealing
Data Source
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AI summary
A composition for use in a preparation of a nickel oxide layer that includes Ni(N03)2 . nΗ2Ο, wherein n is 0, 4, 6 or 9, at least one metal acetate, and a solvent combination that includes a diol, an alcohol amine, and water.