US4167805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cuprous sulfide layer formation for photovoltaic cell
Assignee: TOTAL ENERGIE DEVELOPPEMENT
•
Filing: 1978-07-17
•
Granted: 1979-09-18
•
Expires: 1998-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for fabrication of a photovoltaic cell preferably of the CdS-CuxS type, having a copper electrode adjacent the CuxS. A portion of the CdS is converted to CuxS through ion exchange wherein the CdS is immersed in a first solution of cuprous ions and a second solution of cupric ions to produce a non-stoichiometric CuxS. A layer of metallic copper is applied by conventional techniques, such as vacuum deposition, and the photovoltaic cell heat treated to affect formation of the CdS-CuxS heterojunction. Metallic copper diffusing through the CdS and CuxS from the electrode is captured by the non-stoichiometric CuxS whereby the CuxS is substantially stoichiometric in the completed photovoltaic cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Egil D. Castel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
In a process for manufacturing a CdS--Cu x S photovoltaic cell having a copper positive electrode, a method for forming a film of Cu x S on a layer of CdS, comprising the steps of: immersing said layer of CdS in a first solution containing cuprous ions to convert a portion of said CdS to Cu 2- α S; and thereafter immersing said CdS and Cu 2- α S in a second solution containing cupric ions to form Cu 2- β S, where β is greater than α.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a process for manufacturing a CdS--Cu x S photovoltaic cell having a copper positive electrode, a method for forming a film of Cu x S on a layer of CdS, comprising the steps of: immersing said layer of CdS in a first solution containing cuprous ions to convert a portion of said CdS to Cu 2- α S; and thereafter immersing said CdS and Cu 2- α S in a second solution containing cupric ions to form Cu 2- β S, where β is greater than α.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, including immersing in said second solution for a time effective to form digenite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, including immersing in a second solution comprising a cupric salt and an electrolyte in an aqueous solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said cupric salt is selected from the group consisting of cupric chloride, cupric sulfate and cupric acetate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, sodium chloride and lithium perchlorate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said electrolyte concentration is at least five times said cupric salt concentration.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of completing a CdS--Cu x S photovoltaic cell on a substrate having a layer of CdS, including the steps of: immersing said layer of CdS in a first solution containing cuprous ions to convert a portion of said CdS to Cu 2- α S; immersing said CdS and Cu 2- α S in a second solution containing cupric ions to form Cu 2- β S, where β>α; forming a layer of metallic copper superposed above said CdS and Cu 2- β S to provide a positive electrode; and thereafter heating to a temperature effective to convert said Cu 2- β S to substantially Cu 2 S as metallic copper diffuses into said Cu 2- β S and to form a CdS--Cu 2 S photovoltaic junction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of completing a CdS--Cu x S photovoltaic cell on a substrate having a layer of CdS, including the steps of: immersing said layer of CdS in a first solution containing cuprous ions to convert a portion of said CdS to Cu 2- α S; immersing said CdS and Cu 2- α S in a second solution containing cupric ions to form Cu 2- β S, where β>α; forming a layer of metallic copper superposed above said CdS and Cu 2- β S to provide a positive electrode; and thereafter heating to a temperature effective to convert said Cu 2- β S to substantially Cu 2 S as metallic copper diffuses into said Cu 2- β S and to form a CdS--Cu 2 S photovoltaic junction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 7, including immersing in said second solution for a time effective to form β to a value effective for reacting with said copper to substantially react all of said copper diffusing into said Cu 2- β S during said heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7 or 8, including immersing in a second solution comprising a cupric salt and an electrolyte in an aqueous solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said cupric salt is selected from the group consisting of cupric chloride, cupric sulfate and cupric acetate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, sodium chloride and lithium perchlorate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said electrolyte concentration is at least five times said cupric salt concentration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3374108A
Cited
US3416956A
Cited
US3888697A
Cited
US3884779A
Cited
US3975211A
Cited
US4086779A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |