Electroless Deposition of Transparent Conducting Zn2Sno4 for Solar Cell Applications
Rong Zhang, Department of Paper and Chemical Engineering, Miami University, Gaskill Hall 229, Oxford, OH 45056, Lei Kerr, Dept of Paper and Chemical Engineering, Miami University, Gaskill Hall 229, Oxford, OH 45056, Shashi Lalvani, Paper and Chemical Engineering, Miami University, Gaskill Hall 229, Oxford, OH 45056 and Gautham B. Jegadeesan, Southern Illinois University, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, Mail Code 6603, Carbondale, IL 62901

Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy appears to be a most promising venue for meeting the increasing energy demands of the future in a time when conventional sources of energy are being depleted. The transparent conducting oxide film acts as the important window layer in the solar cell structure. Transparent Conducting Oxides in the phase space SnO2-ZnO, such as n-Zn2SnO4 are promising candidates as new n-TCOs. However, research progress on these materials unfortunately has been stalled due to unsatisfactory electrical and optical properties. We are exploring how to fabricate the new window layer material, Zn2SnO4, using potentially cost effective electroless deposition from aqueous solution. The pretreatment of substrate is crucial in the growth. The correlations between the film electrical, optical and structural properties and growth conditions are investigated.

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MESD Poster Session

The Preliminary Program for 2005 Annual Meeting (Cincinnati, OH)