Abstract: The present invention provides a non-vacuum method of depositing a photovoltaic absorber layer based on electrophoretic deposition of a mixture of nanoparticles with a controlled atomic ratio between the elements. The nanoparticles are first dispersed in a liquid medium to form a colloidal suspension and then electrophoretically deposited onto a substrate to form a thin film photovoltaic absorber layer. The absorber layer may be subjected to optional post-deposition treatments for photovoltaic absorption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for electrophoretic deposition of colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles, especially from aprotic solvents, onto a variety of substrates. The process provides chemical additives that can be used to improve thin films deposited from colloidal suspensions by increasing the rate of deposition and the smoothness of the deposited film. In this process, a chemical additive is used to improve the properties of the deposited thin films. The chemical additive comprises a redox couple, an organometallic complex, a metallocene, a ferrocene, or a nickelocene. The colloidal suspension can be composed of semiconductor, metal or ceramic nanoparticles suspended in an aprotic polar solvent such as acetone, acetonitrile, or pyridine. The process also improves the properties of thin films deposited from protic solvents. The particles have at least one dimension ranging from 0.1 nanometers (nm) to 500 nm.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a photovoltaic device on complexly shaped fabricated objects, such as car bodies are disclosed. Preferably the photovoltaic device includes absorber layers comprising Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS) or Copper, Zinc, Tin, Sulfide (CZTS).

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-vacuum method of depositing a photovoltaic absorber layer based on electrophoretic deposition of a mixture of nanoparticles with a controlled atomic ratio between the elements. The nanoparticles are first dispersed in a liquid medium to form a colloidal suspension and then electrophoretically deposited onto a substrate to form a thin film photovoltaic absorber layer. The absorber layer may be subjected to optional post-deposition treatments for photovoltaic absorption.