Abstract: A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a lead-tellurium-based oxide, a discrete oxide of an adhesion promoting element, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and lead-tellurium-based oxide.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a lead-tellurium-based oxide, a discrete oxide of an adhesion promoting element, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and lead-tellurium-based oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick film silver paste comprising (i) silver, (ii) copper, and (iii) a Pb—Te—O all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the paste and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode. The electrodes provide good electrical performance.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a lead-tellurium-based oxide, a discrete oxide of an adhesion promoting element, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and lead-tellurium-based oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum paste compositions, processes to form solar cells using the aluminum paste compositions, and the solar cells so-produced. The aluminum paste compositions comprise 0.003% to 9%, by weight of boron nitride; 27% to 89%, by weight of an aluminum powder, such that the weight ratio of aluminum powder to boron nitride is in the range of 9:1 to 9909:1; and 0.1% to 9%, by weight of an optional glass frit-free additive, the optional glass frit-free additive comprising amorphous silicon dioxide, crystalline calcium oxide organometallic compounds, metal salts, or mixtures thereof; and 10% to 70%, by weight of an organic vehicle, wherein the amounts in % by weight are based on the total weight of the aluminum paste composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick film silver paste comprising (i) silver, (ii) Al2O3, and (iii) a Pb—Te—O all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the paste and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode. The electrodes provide good adhesion and good electrical performance.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a lead-tellurium-based oxide, a discrete oxide of an adhesion promoting element, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and lead-tellurium-based oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum paste compositions for forming an aluminum back electrode, processes to form aluminum back electrode of solar cells, and the solar cells so-produced. The aluminum paste composition has particulate aluminum and an additive wherein the additive is a salt of an alkaline earth metal ion and an organic counterion dispersed in an organic vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are silicon-free aluminum paste compositions for forming an aluminum back electrode with large silicon particles, processes to form aluminum back electrode of solar cells, and the solar cells so-produced. The process applys a silicon-free aluminum paste on a back surface of a p-type silicon substrate. The silicon-free aluminum paste compositions have an additive comprising calcium oxide, calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, or mixtures thereof; an aluminum powder; and an organic vehicle. The process also applys a metal paste on a front side of the p-type silicon substrate and firing the p-type silicon substrate after the application of the aluminum paste at a peak temperature in the range of 600-950° C., whereupon firing the additive promotes a growth of silicon particles having an equivalent diameter in the range of 2-15 microns in a particulate layer of the aluminum back electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as a backside conductive paste in solar cells. The paste comprises aluminum powder, an organic vehicle and an additive comprising a salt of an alkaline earth metal ion and an organic counterion.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum paste compositions, processes to form solar cells using the aluminum paste compositions, and the solar cells so-produced. The aluminum paste compositions comprise 0.03% to 9%, by weight of crystalline calcium oxide; 27% to 89.9%, by weight of an aluminum powder; and 10% to 70%, by weight of an organic vehicle, wherein the amounts in % by weight are based on the total weight of the aluminum paste composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum paste compositions, processes to form solar cells using the aluminum paste compositions, and the solar cells so-produced. The aluminum paste compositions comprise 0.003% to 9%, by weight of boron nitride; 27% to 89%, by weight of an aluminum powder, such that the weight ratio of aluminum powder to boron nitride is in the range of 9:1 to 9909:1; and 0.1% to 9%, by weight of an optional glass frit-free additive, the optional glass frit-free additive comprising amorphous silicon dioxide, crystalline calcium oxide organometallic compounds, metal salts, or mixtures thereof; and 10% to 70%, by weight of an organic vehicle, wherein the amounts in % by weight are based on the total weight of the aluminum paste composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to thick-film pastes and processes for using such pastes to make solar cell contacts and other circuit devices. In particular, the thick-film pastes comprise a lead-tellurium-oxide frit component, an organic vehicle, and a conductive metal component comprising a silver component and a nickel component.