Abstract: A method for the preparation of copper indium gallium diselenide/disulfide (CIGS) nanoparticles utilizes a copper-rich stoichiometry. The copper-rich CIGS nanoparticles are capped with organo-chalcogen ligands, rendering the nanoparticles processable in organic solvents. The nanoparticles may be deposited on a substrate and thermally processed in a chalcogen-rich atmosphere to facilitate conversion of the excess copper to copper selenide or copper sulfide that may act as a sintering flux to promote liquid phase sintering and thus the growth of large grains. The nanoparticles so produced may be used to fabricate CIGS-based photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An adhesive layer in a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell is provided between the main CIGS layer and molybdenum film to avoid delamination of the CIGS layer and may also act as an electrical modification to increase the charge collection and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of copper indium gallium diselenide/disulfide (CIGS) nanoparticles utilizes a copper-rich stoichiometry. The copper-rich CIGS nanoparticles are capped with organo-chalcogen ligands, rendering the nanoparticles processable in organic solvents. The nanoparticles may be deposited on a substrate and thermally processed in a chalcogen-rich atmosphere to facilitate conversion of the excess copper to copper selenide or copper sulfide that may act as a sintering flux to promote liquid phase sintering and thus the growth of large grains. The nanoparticles so produced may be used to fabricate CIGS-based photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A method for preparing CIGS absorber layers using CIGS nanoparticles on a substrate comprises one or more annealing steps that involve heating the CIGS nanoparticle film(s) to dry the film and possibly to fuse the CIGS nanoparticles together to form CIGS crystals. Generally, at least the final annealing step will induce particle fusion to form CIGS crystals. Reactive gas annealing has been found to facilitate the growth of larger grains in the resulting CIGS absorber layers and lead to improved photovoltaic performance of those layers. It is suspected that the presence of carbon in CIGS nanoparticle films hinders grain growth and limits the size of crystals which can be obtained in CIGS films upon annealing. It has been discovered that exposing the CIGS nanoparticle films to a reactive atmosphere containing sulfur can decrease the amount of carbon in the film, resulting in the growth of larger CIGS crystals upon annealing.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode with an inorganic two-dimensional (2D) EL active material may comprise a plurality of layers on a plastic or glass substrate. In addition to the EL layer, the device may comprise a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer/electron blocking layer, an electron transport layer/hole blocking layer, an electron injection layer, and optional buffer layers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to help balance the charge injection into the 2D material and redistribute the electric field.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey Semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey Semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising a layer of semiconductive material and at least one insulative feature arranged to interrupt the layer of semiconductive material, comprises: providing a layer of semiconductive material, and a layer of compressible material supporting the layer of semiconductive material; and forming the or each insulative feature by a method comprising displacing a respective selected portion of the layer of semiconductive material towards the compressible material so as to compress compressible material under the or each displaced portion and separate at least partly the or each displaced portion from undisplaced semiconductive material.

Abstract: A method for preparing CIGS absorber layers using CIGS nanoparticles on a substrate comprises one or more annealing steps that involve heating the CIGS nanoparticle film(s) to dry the film and possibly to fuse the CIGS nanoparticles together to form CIGS crystals. Generally, at least the final annealing step will induce particle fusion to form CIGS crystals. Reactive gas annealing has been found to facilitate the growth of larger grains in the resulting CIGS absorber layers and lead to improved photovoltaic performance of those layers. It is suspected that the presence of carbon in CIGS nanoparticle films hinders grain growth and limits the size of crystals which can be obtained in CIGS films upon annealing. It has been discovered that exposing the CIGS nanoparticle films to a reactive atmosphere containing sulfur can decrease the amount of carbon in the film, resulting in the growth of larger CIGS crystals upon annealing.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of copper indium gallium diselenide/disulfide (CIGS) nanoparticles utilizes a copper-rich stoichiometry. The copper-rich CIGS nanoparticles are capped with organo-chalcogen ligands, rendering the nanoparticles processable in organic solvents. The nanoparticles may be deposited on a substrate and thermally processed in a chalcogen-rich atmosphere to facilitate conversion of the excess copper to copper selenide or copper sulfide that may act as a sintering flux to promote liquid phase sintering and thus the growth of large grains. The nanoparticles so produced may be used to fabricate CIGS-based photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) devices and solution-based methods of making the same are described. The PV devices include a CIGS-type absorber layer formed on a molybdenum substrate. The molybdenum substrate includes a layer of low-density molybdenum proximate to the absorber layer. The presence of low-density molybdenum proximate to the absorber layer has been found to promote the growth of large grains of CIGS-type semiconductor material in the absorber layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are CIGS-based photon-absorbing layers disposed on a substrate. The photon-absorbing layers are useful in photovoltaic devices. The photon absorbing-layer is made of a semiconductor material having empirical formula AB1-xB?xC2-yC?y, where A is Cu, Zn, Ag or Cd; B and B? are independently Al, In or Ga; C and C? are independently S, or Se, and wherein 0?x?1; and 0?y?2. The grain size of the semiconductor material and the composition of the semiconductor material both vary as a function of depth across the layer. The layers described herein exhibit improved photovoltaic properties, including increased shunt resistance and decreased backside charge carrier recombination.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising a layer of semiconductive material and at least one insulative feature arranged to interrupt the layer of semiconductive material, comprises: providing a layer of semiconductive material, and a layer of compressible material supporting the layer of semiconductive material; and forming the or each insulative feature by a method comprising displacing a respective selected portion of the layer of semiconductive material towards the compressible material so as to compress compressible material under the or each displaced portion and separate at least partly the or each displaced portion from undisplaced semiconductive material.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device from a semiconductor substrate (1) comprising circuitry (2) and terminal means (3) for establishing electrical connection to the circuitry; and a sheet (4) for forming a further layer of the device, the sheet comprising at least one groove (5). Adhesive is applied to at least one of the substrate (1) and the sheet (4); the substrate and the sheet are then aligned in a position such that the groove (5) faces the terminal means (3); and the substrate and the sheet are then attached together by means of the adhesive.