Engineering Thin Film Solar Cells for Radiation Hardness, Lifetime and Efficiency

We propose a combined experimental and theoretical approach for characterization and in-depth study of radiation hard multinary halide and chalcogenide solar cells for space applications. Radiation hardness is among the most desirable characteristics of solar cells for space missions. The two proposed materials technologies in this project are based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and emerging lead halide perovskites that demonstrate a combination of remarkable radiation resistance, high efficiency, light weight, thin, and flexible solar cell arrays for NASA’s CubeSat and SmallSat applications in which high power, light, low payload systems are highly desirable. In recent years, halide perovskites have started a new era of high performance and ultralow-cost-per-watt photovoltaic (PV) materials, whereas CIGS is used in the state-of-the-art commercialized thin film solar cells. Remarkable radiation resistance of CIGS has been documented in many studies, and a few recent studies on the emerging CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells also report superior radiation resistance compared to the commercialized technologies such as c-Si. Quite unusually, due to the specifics of its chemistry and crystal structure, CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells also exhibit a self-healing behavior once the irradiation is terminated. Beyond single junction solar cells, a tandem solar cell comprising of CIGS and perovskite absorber layers in which radiation hardness of each layer combine synergistically may provide an avenue for further efficiency improvement. All of these characteristics make CIGS and CH3NH3PbI3-based materials strong candidates for the consideration for space applications, in particular, for the missions to Mars and Beyond, CubeSat and SmallSat applications. Therefore, this project is of strong interest to the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), and the Human Explorations and Operations Directive (HEOD) at NASA. At the heart of this proposal is the development of CIGS and hybrid halide perovskite thin films with suitable optoelectronic properties including band gaps, carrier concentration, absorption coefficients for their incorporation in solar cells, studies of their performances in working solar cells devices and testing their performance under space conditions (irradiation and AM0). To achieve the goals of this project, a cross-disciplinary team of researchers across Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Materials Science, involving the largest research universities in Oklahoma (the Univ. of Oklahoma and Tulsa, and Oklahoma State Univ.) has been assembled. The team has been collaborating through the Oklahoma PV Institute, demonstrating the strong working relationship that already exists within this group. Suitable chalcogenides (CIGS and derivatives) and hybrid metal halides will be synthesized (Saparov, Science-I), and their optoelectronic properties, and crystal and electronic structures will be characterized (Borunda, Harikumar and Sellers). Based on the measured properties and band structures, most promising members will be incorporated into thin film solar cell devices (Kim). Performances of solar cells in space conditions (e.g., AM0, under irradiation) will be tested at OU (Sellers) and at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) through a collaboration with Dr. Timothy Peshek and Jeremiah McNatt, who are members of the PV and Electrochemical Systems Branch, where flexible PV and CubeSat technology is currently under development. An important role of the GRC group will be to facilitate high-energy irradiation of devices and materials such that degradation under space conditions can be assessed in the materials proposed. The team assembled will also leverage existing relationships with industry to test commercial grade flexible CIGS from MiaSolé Hi-Tech. Corp. under space conditions, where these materials will be used as reference materials to assess the performance of thin film chalcogenides in outer space.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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