Copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) is a I-III-VI2 semiconductor material composed of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. The material is a solid solution of copper indium selenide (often abbreviated "CIS") and copper gallium selenide. It has a chemical formula of CuIn1−xGaxSe2, where the value of x can vary from 0 (pure copper indium selenide) to 1 (pure copper gallium selenide). CIGS is a tetrahedrally bonded semiconductor, with the chalcopyrite crystal structure, and a bandgap varying continuously with x from about 1.0 eV (for copper indium selenide) to about 1.7 eV (for copper gallium selenide).
 CIGS unit cell. Red = Cu, yellow = Se, blue = In/Ga
| |
| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
| |
| ChemSpider | |
| Properties | |
| CuIn1−xGaxSe2 | |
| Density | ~5.7 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 1,070 to 990 °C (1,960 to 1,810 °F; 1,340 to 1,260 K) (x = 0–1)[1] |
| Band gap | 1.0–1.7 eV (x = 0–1)[1] |
| Structure | |
| tetragonal, Pearson symbol tI16 [1] | |
| I42d | |
a = 0.56–0.58 nm (x = 0–1), c = 1.10–1.15 nm (x = 0–1)
| |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
| |
Structure
editCIGS is a tetrahedrally bonded semiconductor, with the chalcopyrite crystal structure. Upon heating it transforms to the zincblende form and the transition temperature decreases from 1045 °C for x = 0 to 805 °C for x = 1.[1]
Applications
editIt is best known as the material for CIGS solar cells a thin-film technology used in the photovoltaic industry.[2] In this role, CIGS has the advantage of being able to be deposited on flexible substrate materials, producing highly flexible, lightweight solar panels. Improvements in efficiency have made CIGS an established technology among alternative cell materials.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Tinoco, T.; Rincón, C.; Quintero, M.; Pérez, G. Sánchez (1991). "Phase Diagram and Optical Energy Gaps for CuInyGa1−ySe2 Alloys". Physica Status Solidi A. 124 (2): 427. Bibcode:1991PSSAR.124..427T. doi:10.1002/pssa.2211240206.
- ^ "DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program Peer Review" (PDF). U.S. department of energy 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2011.