Creation of new solar cell using chalcopyrite-type phosphide

Yoshitaro Nose

Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kyoto University

http://www.mtl.kyoto-u.ac.jp/english/index.html

Abstract

Recently, CuInGaSe₂(CIGS) is in practical use as solar cells using compound semiconductor. However, there is problems of supply and cost in indium and galium, which are rare metels. In this study, we focus on ZnSnP₂ which has the chalcopyrite structure same as CIGS and consist of nontoxic and abundant elements. We control the property of ZnSnP₂ by alloying 4th element and controlling atomic configuration, and establish a process of making thin films. It leads to a realization of low-cost and high-efficiency solar cells.