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A review on the improvement in performance of CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells through optimization of structural parameters

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Abstract

Cadmium telluride (CdTe)/Cadmium sulphide (CdS) thin-film solar cell is a potential candidate for the production of energy through photovoltaic (PV) technology, which reduces the manufacturing cost by replacing the expensive silicon wafers. Many studies have focused on the key attributes, such as wide direct band gap and high absorption coefficient, of these semiconductors (CdTe and CdS) that are widely used for the purpose of industrial production and research developments. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review on the improvement and the performance of CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells while optimizing the various structural parameters such as front contact, the thickness of the absorbing, buffer, window layers, and back contact. Firstly, we discuss the historical background, structural developments, and the advantages of CdTe/CdS solar cells over other contemporary cells. Secondly, the effects of various structural parameters on the performance of CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells are also included in the discussion sections. Influence of pressure, including thermal and chemical treatments, is also included for understanding the improvement in cell performance. Moreover, the impacts of all these factors on the various PV parameters (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor, and conversion efficiency) are discussed and analysed.

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Figure 1

Reprinted with permission from Morales-Acevedo [17]

Figure 2

Reprinted with permission from Irvine et al. [37]

Figure 3

Reprinted with permission from Irvine et al. [37]

Figure 4

Reprinted with permission from Artegiani et al. [38]

Figure 5

Reprinted with permission from Akhlaghi and Mohammadi [43]

Figure 6

Reprinted with permission from Akhlaghi and Mohammadi [43]

Figure 7

Reprinted with permission from Mutalikdesai and Ramasesha [45]

Figure 8

Reprinted with permission from Mutalikdesai and Ramasesha [45]

Figure 9

Reprinted with permission from Heisler et al. [53]

Figure 10

Reprinted with permission from García-Alvarado et al. [60]

Figure 11

Reprinted with permission from García-Alvarado et al. [60]

Figure 12

Reprinted with permission from Flores-Marquez et la. [62]

Figure 13

Reprinted with permission from Flores-Marquez et al. [62]

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to A. Morales-Acevedo, S.J.C. Irvine, Elisa Artegiani, M. H. Akhlaghi, A. Mutalikdesai, C. Heisler, G.I. García-Alvarado, J.M. Flores-Marquez, their co-workers, and the publishers of the journals (Elsevier B. V. Netherland and Springer Science + Business Media New York) whose works have been reviewed here. The authors acknowledge Dr. Shashikanta Tarai, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, NIT Raipur, India, for his timely assistance in language corrections.

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  1. Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, India

    Tarkeshwar Sinha, Devjyoti Lilhare & Ayush Khare

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  1. Tarkeshwar Sinha
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Sinha, T., Lilhare, D. & Khare, A. A review on the improvement in performance of CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells through optimization of structural parameters. J Mater Sci 54, 12189–12205 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03651-0

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