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Grading of bandgap by alloying CdTe with selenium to form a CdSexTe1–x/CdTe‐graded bilayer device has led to a device efficiency over 19%. A CdSexTe1–xabsorber would increase the short‐circuit current due to its lower bandgap but at the expense of open‐circuit voltage. It has been demonstrated that adding a CdTe layer at the back of such a CdSexTe1–xfilm reduces the voltage deficit caused by the lower bandgap of absorber from selenium alloying while maintaining the higher short‐circuit current. This leads to a photovoltaic device that draws advantage from both materials with an efficiency greater than either of them. Herein, a detailed account using device data, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and first‐principles density functional theory modeling is provided, which shows that CdTe acts as an electron reflector for CdSexTe1–x.
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This content will become publicly available on May 29, 2026
Solution‐Processed Arsenic Chalcogenides as Dopant Source and Back Contact for Efficient CdSeTe Solar Cells
Group V doping in CdSeTe device can improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device stability. Arsenic (As) incorporation into CdSeTe has been demonstrated via both in situ and ex situ techniques; however, optimizing the back contact for group V‐doped CdSeTe devices remains a critical challenge. Here, solution‐processed arsenic chalcogenides (i.e., As2Te3and As2Se3) as dual‐role materials, serving as both dopants and back‐contact materials for high‐efficiency CdSeTe devices, are investigated. During the formation of the back contact, a portion of the arsenic chalcogenides diffuses into the CdSeTe absorber, facilitating p‐type doping. The remaining materials forms a stable back‐contact layer that facilitate carrier collection and reducing recombination losses at the CdSeTe back surface. Particularly, CdSeTe device employing Te rich As2Te3layer as the dopant and back‐contact materials achieves a PCE of 18.34%, demonstrating the dual functionality of solution‐processed arsenic chalcogenides in simultaneously doping the absorber and optimizing charge extraction. This solution based cost‐effective As doping approach offers a promising pathway for advancing CdSeTe photovoltaic technology.
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- PAR ID:
- 10608448
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Solar RRL
- ISSN:
- 2367-198X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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