Moisture resistant photovoltaic devices with improved adhesion of barrier film
US9059349B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
Abstract
The present invention provides strategies for improving the adhesion between a barrier region, a transparent conductive region, and/or an electrically conductive grid through the use of an adhesion promoting region. The adhesion promoting region is optically transmissive and comprises a metal layer, a metal nitride layer, a metal carbide layer, or a combination thereof and preferably comprises at least one of Cr, Ti, Ta, and Zr or a combination thereof. These strategies are particularly useful in the fabrication of heterojunction photovoltaic devices such as chalcogenide-based solar cells. Adhesion is improved to such a degree that grid materials and dielectric barrier materials can cooperate to provide a hermetic seal over devices to protect against damage induced by environmental conditions, including damage due to water intrusion. The adhesion promoting region also serves as a barrier to the migration of Na, Li, and the lanthanoid series of elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.