Engineering topics

Vest, G. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Vest, G. M..

5 records

NASA NTRS1985

MOD silver metallization for photovoltaics

The feasibility of utilizing metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) silver inks were investigated for front contact metallization of solar cells. Generic synthesis procedures were developed for all metallo-organic compounds investigated. Silver neodecanoate was found to be the most suitable silver metallo-organic compound for use in thick film inks, but the quality of the inks was found to be highly dependent on its purity. Although neither the process nor inks were completely optimized for solar cell front contact metallization, they show great promise for this application.

Vest, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Mod silver metallization: Screen printing and ink-jet printing

Basic material efforts have proven to be very successful. Adherent and conductive films were achieved. A silver neodecanoate/bismuth 2-ethylhexanoate mixture has given the best results in both single and double layer applications. Another effort is continuing to examine the feasibility of applying metallo-organic deposition films by use of an ink jet printer. Direct line writing would result in a saving of process time and materials. So far, some well defined lines have been printed.

Vest, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

MOD silver metallization for photovoltaics

Photovoltaic cells require back side metallization and a collector grid system on the front surface. Both front and back surface metallizations should have good adhesion, low contact resistance, low sheet resistance, long term stability, and their deposition methods should not degrade the n-p junction. Advantages and disadvantages of different deposition methods are discussed.

Vest, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

MOD silver metallization for photovoltaics

The development of flat plate solar arrays is reported. Photovoltaic cells require back side metallization and a collector grid system on the front surface. Metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) silver films can eliminate most of the present problems with silver conductors. The objectives are to: (1) identify and characterize suitable MO compounds; (2) develop generic synthesis procedures for the MO compounds; (3) develop generic fabrication procedures to screen printable MOD silver inks; (4) optimize processing conditions to produce grid patterns and photovoltaic cells; and (5) develop a model which describes the adhesion between the fired silver film and the silicon surface.

Vest, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Metallization with generic metallo-organic inks

The use and fabrication of metallo-organic films are discussed. Metallo-organic compounds are ones in which a metal is linked to a long chain carbon ligand through a hetero atom such as O, S, N, P or As. Films formed by the thermal decomposition of these metallo-organics are called MOD films. In order that the products of decomposition contain only CO2, H2O, and in rare cases nitrogen compounds, and to avoid S containing products, the use of a set of metallo-organic compounds for ink fabrication where the linking hetero atom was oxygen was pioneered. These links were made from commercially available carboxylates, or synthesized from commonly available reagents. The processing is described and the molecular design criteria are given. The particular carboxylates or amine carboxylates selected were the octoates or neodecanoates, and they are described.

Vest, G. M.↗