The preparation and characterization of NiTe 2 back contacts to CdTe/CdS cells are described. NiTe 2 is formed on p-CdTe by electroless deposition at low reductant concentrations, producing devices that are superior (conversion efficiencies often exceeding 10%) to those contacted with electroless Ni. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed the product to be nickel(II) ditelluride ( Ni 2 + Te 2 2 − ) , produced, in the catalytic presence of Al 3 + ions, by the reaction of Ni 2 + ions with a Te-rich CdTe surface, which is formed by an in situ etch in the chemical bath. Preliminary results indicate that Ni, from NiTe 2 , is not mobile within the cell structure, which is expected to be favorable for stability. Cells exhibit degradation when exposed to H 2 O vapor. However, this effect was found to be reversible, with performance improving to near predegradation values following cell transfer to dry air conditions.
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Dobson et al. (2002) studied this question.
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