The unique connection between molybdenum foil and solar technology
In the field of solar technology, particularly in the most promising copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, molybdenum foil is playing an indispensable and crucial role. Unlike traditional silicon-based cells, CIGS cells require the layer-by-layer deposition of micro-scale thickness films on flexible or rigid substrates. And due to its series of outstanding physical and chemical properties, molybdenum foil has become the preferred back electrode material for this technological route. It is not only a conductor for collecting and conducting electricity, but also the cornerstone of the entire cell structure. Its performance directly affects the photoelectric conversion efficiency and long-term stability of the final photovoltaic module.
The selection of molybdenum foil as the back electrode for CIGS cells is based on its multiple advantages in harsh fabrication conditions. Firstly, molybdenum has a high melting point (2622℃) and excellent high-temperature stability, which enables it to withstand the process temperature of up to 500-600℃ during the deposition of the CIGS absorber layer without deformation or volatilization. Secondly, molybdenum has good adhesion and excellent electrical conductivity with the CIGS material layer, effectively collecting the photogenerated current. Moreover, the thermal expansion coefficient of molybdenum is well-matched with that of the CIGS material, reducing the problems of detachment or cracking caused by thermal stress. At the same time, it can effectively prevent the diffusion of impurities, ensuring the purity of the core area of the battery.
The most revolutionary application of molybdenum foil lies in the manufacturing of flexible and lightweight CIGS solar cells. When using ultra-thin (typically 50-100 micrometers) molybdenum foil as the substrate, it can replace the traditional rigid glass substrate, thereby creating bendable and rollable solar components. These flexible batteries can be widely applied in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), the roofs of new energy vehicles, portable power generation equipment, unmanned aircraft, and aerospace, etc., which have special requirements for weight and shape. This greatly expands the application boundaries of solar technology.
During the fabrication process of CIGS batteries, molybdenum foil exhibits excellent process compatibility. The mainstream co-evaporation method or the subsequent selenization method both require a dense, smooth, and conductive substrate for depositing the CIGS absorption layer. The molybdenum film deposited on the molybdenum foil through magnetron sputtering technology can provide an ideal lattice structure and surface morphology. More importantly, during the selenization process, the surface of the molybdenum foil reacts with selenium to form a very thin layer of MoSe₂. This semiconductor film is believed to be able to form an ideal ohmic contact, reducing the energy band barrier of the back contact, thereby increasing the open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the battery, and ultimately optimizing the conversion efficiency.
Although molybdenum foil has a stable position in CIGS solar cells, its development still faces challenges such as cost control, further reducing thickness to enhance flexibility, and exploring more optimized alloying schemes. In the future, with the continuous progress of CIGS thin-film battery technology and the growth of market demand, the performance requirements for molybdenum foil will become increasingly precise. The research and development direction will focus on producing thinner, more uniform, and higher-quality molybdenum foils, and exploring the possibility of their combination with the new generation of tandem battery technologies. It can be predicted that as the behind-the-scenes hero of high-end solar technology, molybdenum foil will continue to provide key material support for human solar energy.
Molybdenum foils are demanded in various parts of the world, such as: USA, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland.
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