All Solution-Based Fabrication of CIGS Solar Cell

This paper presents fabrication of copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) solar cells using all solution-based deposition processes. CIGS nanoparticles were synthesized through multi-step chemical process using copper chloride, indium chloride, gallium chloride, and selenium in oleyamine. CIGS thin films were constructed through layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly and spray-coating techniques. Chemical-bath-deposition and spray-coating methods were used for cadmium sulfide and zinc oxide film depositions, respectively. Initial thin film solar cell devices exhibited promising 0.3 mA short circuit current and 200 mV open circuit voltage. The solar cells fabricated through the all solution-based processes are cost-effective, thus, have potentials of providing a viable, renewable and sustainable energy source. The proposed processes can further be realized on flexible substrates, which may broaden the applications range for the solar cells.