Metal-carbon-nanotube metal matrix composites for metal contacts on photovoltaic cells

Abstract

A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.