US 8,710,355 B2 · Compositions and processes for forming photovoltaic devices

Abstract

Photovoltaic cells, including silicon solar cells, and methods and compositions for making such photovoltaic cells are provided. A silicon substrate having p-type silicon base and an n-type silicon layer is provided with a silicon nitride layer, an exchange metal in contact with the silicon nitride layer, and a non-exchange metal in contact with the exchange metal. This assembly is fired to form a metal silicide contact on the silicon substrate, and a conductive metal electrode in contact with the metal silicide contact. The exchange metal is from nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and combinations thereof, and the non-exchange metal is from silver, copper, tin, bismuth, lead, antimony, arsenic, indium, zinc, germanium, gold, cadmium, beryllium, and combinations thereof.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for making a photovoltaic device, comprising:

providing a silicon substrate having a p-type silicon base and an n-type silicon layer,
forming a silicon nitride layer on the n-type silicon layer of the silicon substrate,
placing an exchange metal in contact with said silicon nitride layer formed on the n-type silicon layer of the silicon substrate, and not in physical contact with said silicon substrate and not in physical contact with said n-type silicon layer of said silicon substrate,
placing a non-exchange metal in contact with said exchange metal,
firing said silicon substrate, silicon nitride layer, exchange metal and non-exchange metal to react the exchange metal with the silicon nitride layer to form a metal silicide contact to said n-type silicon layer and a conductive metal electrode in contact with said metal silicide contact.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compositions and processes for forming photovoltaic devices

Life of this patent

Compositions and processes for forming photovoltaic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17