Method of forming zinc oxide film and process for producing photovoltaic device using it
US6576112B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of forming a zinc oxide film on a conductive substrate, which comprises dipping the conductive substrate and a counter electrode in an aqueous solution containing at least nitric acid ion and zinc ion and supplying a current between these electrodes to form a zinc oxide film, wherein the aqueous solution further contains polycarboxylic acid in which a carboxyl radical is bonded to each of carbon having sp2 hybrid orbital, or its ester with a concentration of 0.5 &mgr;mol/L to 500 &mgr;mol/L. Thereby, it is possible to form in a short time a thin film having texture structure exhibiting an optical confinement effect, to prevent abnormal growth of a deposited film, and to obtain a zinc oxide thin film having excellent uniformity and adhesion on a surface thereof where the film is formed. Also, by applying the photovoltaic device to a stacked structure, it is possible to enhance the photoelectric characteristics and mass producibility.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.