Semiconductor Material Homogeneity in Solar Cell Absorbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor solar cells rely on expensive and scarce materials like silicon, indium, and tellurium, which are difficult to produce and result in inhomogeneous structures, posing challenges for large-scale, cost-effective solar energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor material with the formula Me12Me21-xMe3xMe4(C11-yC2y)4, where Me1, Me2, and Me4 are transition metals, C1 and C2 are nonmetals, and x, y are between 0 and 1, is used, allowing for a more homogeneous structure and availability of abundant materials, reducing the need for rare metals and improving production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicon, indium, or tellurium are used as semiconductor materials, then the solar cell can convert solar energy into electric energy, but the material costs are high and the raw materials are scarce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using abundant elements (Al, Si, Ge, S, Se, Te) in specific ratios to form new semiconductor compounds. This substitution of rare metals with abundant elements maintains the semiconductor properties needed for energy conversion while ensuring sufficient raw material availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite semiconductor materials with formulas like AlxSi1-yGeyS1-zSezTew, combining multiple abundant elements to achieve the desired semiconductor properties. This composite approach allows optimization of both material availability and energy conversion efficiency.
2Reliability
If silicon is used as semiconductor material, then the solar cell can function, but the material requires utmost purity levels which makes it expensive and energy-intensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition to use abundant elements that can achieve semiconductor functionality without requiring the same extreme purity levels as silicon. The specific stoichiometric ratios in compounds like AlxSi1-yGeyS1-zSezTew provide structural stability that reduces purification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs abundant, inexpensive elements that can be used in forms requiring less stringent purification, effectively replacing expensive, high-purity silicon with more economical material alternatives that maintain functional performance.
3Productivity
If sputtering techniques or physical vapour deposition are used to manufacture absorber materials, then the solar cell can be produced, but the material structure becomes inhomogeneous especially with larger areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach by using solution-based methods instead of vacuum deposition techniques. This allows for better control of material distribution and composition homogeneity across large areas, as the solution can be uniformly applied and processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solution processing as an intermediary method between material synthesis and solar cell fabrication. This intermediary step enables better control over material homogeneity by allowing uniform distribution of precursor materials before final conversion to the active semiconductor phase.
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 new semiconductor material enables cost-effective and large-scale production of solar cells with improved homogeneity, reducing material costs and ensuring sufficient raw material availability, while maintaining efficient energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
If photons now penetrate this transition zone and generate electron-hole pairs (photo effect)
Implementation Method 2
an internal electric field is required in order to guide the generated charge carriers in different directions
Data Source
AI summary
This invention describes a semiconductor material of general formula (I) Me12Me21-xMe3xMe4(C11-yC2y)4, in which x stands for a numeric value from 0 to 1, and y stands for a numeric value of 0 to 1, as well as its use as an absorber material in a solar cell. The metal Mel is a metal which is selected from the metals in group 11 of the periodic table of the elements (Cu, Ag or Au). The metals Me2 and Me3 are selected from the elements of the 12th group of the periodic table of elements (Zn, Cd & Hg). The metal Me4 is a metal which is selected from the 4th main group of the periodic table of elements (C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). The non-metals C1 and C2 are selected from the group of chalcogenides (S, Se and Te).