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Papers by Jacob Antonio Andrade Arvizu

Research paper thumbnail of Open-circuit voltage enhancement in CdS/Cu2ZnSnSe4-based thin film solar cells: A metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) performance

Low open circuit voltage (Voc) values have been widely reported in kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)-b... more Low open circuit voltage (Voc) values have been widely reported in kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)-based thin film solar cells. So far, a complete understanding of the main sources of these low performances is far from clear. In this work, a theoretical model for CZTSe solar cell with record efficiency is presented. Among the different device loss mechanisms, trap-assisted tunneling recombination is introduced as the major hurdle to boost Voc values. Detailed comparison of the simulation results to the measured device parameters shows that our model is able to reproduce the experimental observations. Finally, it is found that a further solar cell efficiency enhancement of up to 19.4% with an open circuit voltage close to 708 mV can be achieved by using more resistive CdS layers which is in contradiction to p-n junction behavior. In this way, a MIS performance is proposed to promote Voc and efficiency values. As a result, this approach could help to solve at least one of the main issues of this technology.

Research paper thumbnail of Pressure induced directional transformations on close spaced vapor transport deposited SnS thin films

In this work, SnS thin films were deposited by employing the Close Spaced Vapor Transport (CSVT) ... more In this work, SnS thin films were deposited by employing the Close Spaced Vapor Transport (CSVT) technique
under air atmosphere. Single-phase, p-type SnS thin films were synthesized by varying the final pressure in
the chamber and its effect on the properties of SnS were studied. The pressure impact on the directional preferred
orientation (DPO) of grains is presented for the first time. The analysis of different pressure values on deposited
film properties was performed by X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy,
atomic force microscopy, optical measurements and electric characterization techniques.

Research paper thumbnail of SnS-based thin film solar cells: perspectives over the last 25 years

New types of thin film solar cells made from earth-abundant, non-toxic materials and with adequat... more New types of thin film solar cells made from
earth-abundant, non-toxic materials and with adequate
physical properties such as band-gap energy, large absorption coefficient and p-type conductivity are needed in
order to replace the current technology based on
CuInGaSe2 and CdTe absorber materials, which contain
scarce and toxic elements. One promising candidate absorber material is tin monosulfide (SnS). The constituent
elements of the SnS film are abundant in the earth’s crust,
and non-toxic. If this compound is used as the absorber
layer in solar cells, high efficient devices should be fabricated with relative low cost technologies. Despite these
properties, low efficiency SnS-based solar cells have been
reported up to now. In this work, we present a review about
the state of the art of SnS films and devices. Finally, an
analysis about different factors that are limiting high efficiency solar cells is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a CdS/Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell efficiency improvement: A theoretical approach

In this work, a device model for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cell with certified world record efficien... more In this work, a device model for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cell with certified world record efficiency is presented. A study of the most important loss mechanisms and its effect on solar cell
performance was carried out. The trap-assisted tunneling and CdS/CZTS interface recombination are introduced as the most important loss mechanisms. Detailed comparison of the simulation results to the measured device parameters shows that our model is able to reproduce the experimental observations (quantum efficiency, efficiency, Jsc, FF, and Voc) reported under normal operating conditions. Finally, a discussion about a further solar cell efficiency improvement is addressed.

Research paper thumbnail of Loss mechanisms influence on Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS-based thin film solar cell performance

One of the most important issues in kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based thin film solar cells is low... more One of the most important issues in kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based thin film solar cells is low open circuit voltage, which is mainly related to loss mechanisms that take place in both CZTS bulk material and CdS/CZTS interface. A device model for CZTS/CdS solar cell which takes into account loss mechanisms influence on solar cell performance is presented. The simulation results showed that our model is able to
reproduce experimental observations reported for CZTS/CdS based solar cells with the highest conversion efficiencies, measured under room temperature and AM1.5 intensity. The comparison of simulation results to experimental observations demonstrated that among the different loss mechanisms,
trap-assisted tunneling losses are the major hurdle to boost open circuit voltage. Under this loss mechanism, a solar cell efficiency enhancement up to 10.2% with CdS donor concentration decrease was reached. Finally, the possible path toward a further solar cell efficiency improvement is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Route towards low cost-high efficiency second generation solar cells: current status and perspectives

The most efficient thin film solar cells are based on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) and CdTe compound... more The most efficient thin film solar cells are based on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) and CdTe compounds, known as second generation polycrystalline thin films. The challenge of these materials is to reduce the cost per watt of solar energy conversion, but they are actually formed by expensive and/or scanty elements in the earth’s crust such as In, Ga, Te and other that present toxicity issues like Cd. In the last years, new materials with properties of interest for photovoltaic applications and formed by non toxic and relatively abundant elements, have been suggested as alternatives to the main second generation solar cells based on CdTe and CIGSSe. Semiconductor compounds with kesterite structure (Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1−x)4, Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2ZnSnSe4) and other like In2S3, all of them Cadmium-free have been proposed as new candidates for thin film solar cells. However, reported solar cell efficiencies for these compounds have not yet reached the expected values. In this work, we present a review of the limiting factors for achieving high efficiency in thin film solar cells, related to deposition methods as well as the different mechanisms that limit cell performance. Significant results in the processing of solar cells using some of these compounds and preliminary results of the In2S3 deposition with an overview to its use as buffer layer are presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Open-circuit voltage enhancement in CdS/Cu2ZnSnSe4-based thin film solar cells: A metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) performance

Low open circuit voltage (Voc) values have been widely reported in kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)-b... more Low open circuit voltage (Voc) values have been widely reported in kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)-based thin film solar cells. So far, a complete understanding of the main sources of these low performances is far from clear. In this work, a theoretical model for CZTSe solar cell with record efficiency is presented. Among the different device loss mechanisms, trap-assisted tunneling recombination is introduced as the major hurdle to boost Voc values. Detailed comparison of the simulation results to the measured device parameters shows that our model is able to reproduce the experimental observations. Finally, it is found that a further solar cell efficiency enhancement of up to 19.4% with an open circuit voltage close to 708 mV can be achieved by using more resistive CdS layers which is in contradiction to p-n junction behavior. In this way, a MIS performance is proposed to promote Voc and efficiency values. As a result, this approach could help to solve at least one of the main issues of this technology.

Research paper thumbnail of Pressure induced directional transformations on close spaced vapor transport deposited SnS thin films

In this work, SnS thin films were deposited by employing the Close Spaced Vapor Transport (CSVT) ... more In this work, SnS thin films were deposited by employing the Close Spaced Vapor Transport (CSVT) technique
under air atmosphere. Single-phase, p-type SnS thin films were synthesized by varying the final pressure in
the chamber and its effect on the properties of SnS were studied. The pressure impact on the directional preferred
orientation (DPO) of grains is presented for the first time. The analysis of different pressure values on deposited
film properties was performed by X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy,
atomic force microscopy, optical measurements and electric characterization techniques.

Research paper thumbnail of SnS-based thin film solar cells: perspectives over the last 25 years

New types of thin film solar cells made from earth-abundant, non-toxic materials and with adequat... more New types of thin film solar cells made from
earth-abundant, non-toxic materials and with adequate
physical properties such as band-gap energy, large absorption coefficient and p-type conductivity are needed in
order to replace the current technology based on
CuInGaSe2 and CdTe absorber materials, which contain
scarce and toxic elements. One promising candidate absorber material is tin monosulfide (SnS). The constituent
elements of the SnS film are abundant in the earth’s crust,
and non-toxic. If this compound is used as the absorber
layer in solar cells, high efficient devices should be fabricated with relative low cost technologies. Despite these
properties, low efficiency SnS-based solar cells have been
reported up to now. In this work, we present a review about
the state of the art of SnS films and devices. Finally, an
analysis about different factors that are limiting high efficiency solar cells is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a CdS/Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell efficiency improvement: A theoretical approach

In this work, a device model for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cell with certified world record efficien... more In this work, a device model for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cell with certified world record efficiency is presented. A study of the most important loss mechanisms and its effect on solar cell
performance was carried out. The trap-assisted tunneling and CdS/CZTS interface recombination are introduced as the most important loss mechanisms. Detailed comparison of the simulation results to the measured device parameters shows that our model is able to reproduce the experimental observations (quantum efficiency, efficiency, Jsc, FF, and Voc) reported under normal operating conditions. Finally, a discussion about a further solar cell efficiency improvement is addressed.

Research paper thumbnail of Loss mechanisms influence on Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS-based thin film solar cell performance

One of the most important issues in kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based thin film solar cells is low... more One of the most important issues in kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based thin film solar cells is low open circuit voltage, which is mainly related to loss mechanisms that take place in both CZTS bulk material and CdS/CZTS interface. A device model for CZTS/CdS solar cell which takes into account loss mechanisms influence on solar cell performance is presented. The simulation results showed that our model is able to
reproduce experimental observations reported for CZTS/CdS based solar cells with the highest conversion efficiencies, measured under room temperature and AM1.5 intensity. The comparison of simulation results to experimental observations demonstrated that among the different loss mechanisms,
trap-assisted tunneling losses are the major hurdle to boost open circuit voltage. Under this loss mechanism, a solar cell efficiency enhancement up to 10.2% with CdS donor concentration decrease was reached. Finally, the possible path toward a further solar cell efficiency improvement is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Route towards low cost-high efficiency second generation solar cells: current status and perspectives

The most efficient thin film solar cells are based on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) and CdTe compound... more The most efficient thin film solar cells are based on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) and CdTe compounds, known as second generation polycrystalline thin films. The challenge of these materials is to reduce the cost per watt of solar energy conversion, but they are actually formed by expensive and/or scanty elements in the earth’s crust such as In, Ga, Te and other that present toxicity issues like Cd. In the last years, new materials with properties of interest for photovoltaic applications and formed by non toxic and relatively abundant elements, have been suggested as alternatives to the main second generation solar cells based on CdTe and CIGSSe. Semiconductor compounds with kesterite structure (Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1−x)4, Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2ZnSnSe4) and other like In2S3, all of them Cadmium-free have been proposed as new candidates for thin film solar cells. However, reported solar cell efficiencies for these compounds have not yet reached the expected values. In this work, we present a review of the limiting factors for achieving high efficiency in thin film solar cells, related to deposition methods as well as the different mechanisms that limit cell performance. Significant results in the processing of solar cells using some of these compounds and preliminary results of the In2S3 deposition with an overview to its use as buffer layer are presented.