Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor devices include providing a crystalline template having an initial grain size, annealing the crystalline template, the annealed template having a final grain size larger than the initial grain size, forming a buffer layer over the annealed template, and forming a semiconductor layer over the buffer layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices or solar cells are provided having one or more photoactive layers where at least one of the photoactive layers comprises a sublayer made of photoactive nanoparticles that differ in size, composition or both.

Abstract: A method for neutralizing a sulfuric acid solution containing predominantly Zn ion, comprising adding, to the sulfuric acid solution, at least one compound selected from the group of chlorine-containing compounds of Na ion, K ion, Mg ion, Ca ion, and NH.sub.4 ion in an amount at least chemically equivalent to SO.sub.4 ion contained; and then bringing the sulfuric acid solution into contact with an organic solvent composed of one or more species selected from the group of oxygen-containing organic solvents and alkylamine organic solvents to extract Zn ion from the sulfuric acid solution as a chloride complex to the organic solvent. The sulfuric acid solution after extraction of Zn ion is further treated by addition of an oxidizing agent or by an electrochemical means to convert Fe.sup.2+ into to Fe.sup.