Nanoparticle colloids as spray deposition precursors to CIGS photovoltaic materials

Cu-In-Ga-Se nanoparticle colloids have been used as precursors in the spray deposition of photovoltaic films. Precursor colloid was prepared by reaction of the metal iodides in pyridine with sodium selenide in methanol at reduced temperature according to one of two routes: synthesis of each of the component binary selenides (Type I) followed by physical mixing of the isolated particles; or a one-pot synthesis with all the metal iodides reacting together in one flask to form a mixed-metal Cu-In-Ga-Se colloid (Type II). The constituent nanoparticles in these colloids were analyzed by TEM and XRD and were determined to be amorphous as-synthesized. Crystalline phase formation of these nanoparticles was observed by XRD after a thermal treatment. These precursor colloids were sprayed onto Mo-coated glass substrates at elevated temperatures. The nanoparticle-derived Cu-In-Ga-Se films were characterized by SEM and XRD prior to being finished into CIGS solar cell devices according to standard NREL protocol. I–V characterization of these CIGS solar cells showed these devices are limited by a large series resistance.