Selenium Group 1B Ink for Tailorable CIGS Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for depositing selenium-containing CIGS materials in photovoltaic cells are costly and have low throughput, necessitating the development of cost-effective, high-throughput liquid-based deposition techniques for selenium/Group 1b inks that allow for tailorable mole ratios of M to Se in the deposited MaSeh material.
Innovation Solution
A selenium/Group 1b ink comprising selenium, an organic chalcogenide component, and a Group 1b component complexed with a multidentate ligand, stabilized in a liquid carrier, enabling stable dispersion and tailorable mole ratios, facilitating the deposition of MaSeh materials on substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vacuum-based deposition methods are used, then deposition quality is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vacuum-based mechanical deposition systems with a liquid-based chemical deposition system. The ink formulation allows selenium and Group 1b materials to be deposited from liquid solution onto substrates, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum chambers and complex mechanical deposition equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and increasing throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the deposition material from solid/vapor (conventional methods) to liquid solution (ink). By formulating stable liquid inks containing selenium, organic chalcogenide, and Group 1b materials with multidentate ligands, the process enables low-cost, high-throughput deposition while maintaining material quality through controlled chemical reactions in liquid phase
2Productivity
If liquid-based deposition techniques are developed, then throughput and cost-effectiveness improve, but stability and composition control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multidentate ligands as intermediary molecules that coordinate with Group 1b materials (copper, silver) in the liquid ink. These ligands act as stabilizing agents that prevent premature precipitation and control the release of metal ions during deposition, ensuring stable composition and controlled reaction kinetics in the liquid-based system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liquid ink system combining selenium, organic chalcogenide, Group 1b materials complexed with multidentate ligands, and liquid carrier. This composite formulation ensures mutual stability of all components in liquid phase while enabling controlled deposition of MaSeh materials with tailorable mole ratios, resolving the contradiction between liquid-based processing and composition stability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional CIGS manufacturing methods are used, then material quality is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive vacuum-based deposition equipment with simple liquid dispensing and thermal processing equipment. The liquid ink formulation maintains material quality through controlled chemical composition and stable complexes, enabling high-quality CIGS manufacturing at lower cost through conventional, scalable equipment
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 selenium/Group 1b ink provides a stable, cost-effective means for depositing MaSeh materials with customizable composition, enhancing the efficiency and scalability of CIGS material production for photovoltaic cells.
Implementation Method 1
heating the combination with agitation to produce a combined selenium/organic chalcogenide component
Data Source
AI summary
A selenium/Group 1b ink comprising, as initial components: a selenium component comprising selenium, an organic chalcogenide component having a formula selected from RZ-Z'R' and R2-SH, a Group 1b component and a liquid carrier; wherein Z and Z' are each independently selected from sulfur, selenium and tellurium; wherein R is selected from H, C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; wherein R' and R2 are selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; and wherein the selenium/Group 1b ink is a stable dispersion. Also provided are methods of preparing the selenium/Group 1b ink and of using the selenium/Group 1b ink to deposit selenium and a Group 1b material on a substrate (preferably to deposit a MaSeh material on a substrate for use in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells; wherein the mole ratio of M to selenium in the MaSeh material deposited is tailorable; wherein M is at least one of copper and silver).