Solar Cell Electrode Paste with Sintering Inhibitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The firing process in solar cell electrode manufacturing leads to increased contact resistance and micro-crack formation due to film shrinkage, adversely affecting the uniformity and conversion efficiency of solar cells.
Innovation Solution
A paste containing silver powder, glass frit, resin binder, and a sintering inhibitor, preferably rhodium resinate, is used to form solar cell electrodes, which inhibits contact resistance and micro-crack formation during firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a paste is fired to form solar cell electrodes, then the electrode structure is formed and adhered to the substrate, but contact resistance increases and micro-cracks form due to film shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sintering inhibitor substance that changes the physical and chemical parameters of the paste during firing. This inhibitor modifies the sintering behavior to reduce excessive shrinkage while maintaining adequate adhesion, thereby resolving the contradiction between forming a stable electrode structure and preventing micro-crack formation and contact resistance increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The paste is formulated as a composite material containing multiple components including silver powder, glass frit, resin binder, and sintering inhibitor. This composite structure allows the different components to perform complementary functions: the silver provides conductivity, the glass frit provides adhesion, the resin binder provides flexibility, and the sintering inhibitor controls shrinkage, collectively resolving the technical contradiction.
2Power
If the electrode resistance is decreased to improve power generation efficiency, then power generation efficiency increases, but the electrode structure becomes more sensitive to firing-induced shrinkage and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
By adjusting the composition parameters of the paste, particularly the ratio and type of conductive powder, glass frit, and sintering inhibitor, the patent achieves a balance where the electrode has low resistance for high power generation efficiency while the sintering inhibitor prevents excessive shrinkage and structural damage during firing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sintering inhibitor acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conductive powder particles and the glass frit matrix. It controls the sintering process to achieve good electrical contact (low resistance) while preventing structural degradation (cracking), thus resolving the contradiction between power generation efficiency and structural integrity.
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 use of the sintering inhibitor improves the characteristics of the solar cell electrodes by preventing increased contact resistance and micro-crack formation, enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
a paste containing a silver powder, a glass frit, a resin binder and a sintering inhibitor... the sintering inhibitor is preferably a metal resinate, ideally rhodium resinate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electrically conducting paste comprising a silver powder, a glass frit, a resin binder and a sintering inhibitor. The paste is used in the manufacture of solar cell electrodes by applying the electrically conducting paste to a substrate and then firing of the coated substrate.