Buffer and Passivation Layers for High-Efficiency Tandem Solar Cells | Research Capability & Technology Portfolio

It is quite well accepted that tandem solar cells are the most promising way to achieve a solar cell efficiency in excess of 30%. If these are to be silicon based, they will require both buffer and surface passivation layers in order to maximise their performance.

Competitive advantage

The only laboratory in Australia that has an atomic layer deposition reactor with real-time feedback on the synthesised material, offering unprecedented advantages in terms of process optimisation and device integration
Use of an advanced, computational material science approach to identify the most promising materials before synthesising them
Ability to perform atomic-scale engineering using atomic layer deposition
Real-time insight and control of thin film growth and its correlation to final device performance

Impact

The application of a buffer and passivation layer has already resulted in creating world-record efficiency in Cd-free CZTS solar cells.

Successful outcomes

A wide range of binary and tertiary compound thin films have been developed for integration into thin film solar cells

Capabilities and facilities

Both laboratory-scale and pilot-scale atomic layer deposition reactors to explore novel process from low- to high-technology readiness level
Access to both lab-scale as well a pilot-scale thin film deposition equipment for swift transfer from the laboratory to the factory

Our partners

Working together with various leading worldwide research groups to test thin films at the solar cell device level