Reaction and interfacial structures between Ag paste with tellurite glass frits and Si wafer for solar cells

Tellurite glass frits with different SiO 2 /PbO ratios were produced and characterized for use in the Ag paste in the electrodes of polycrystalline Si solar cells. The thermophysical properties of the frits were determined using differential scanning calorimetry, and their fusion behaviors were studied using hot-stage microscopy. Glass frits in the Ag pastes reacted with the Si wafer. The interfacial structure between the Ag electrodes and the Si wafer was observed using scanning electrode microscopy. Depending on their compositions, the glass frits in the Ag paste exhibited different contact behaviors with the Si wafer substrate. This led to different interfacial structures between Ag electrodes and the Si wafer. The morphology of the interfacial structure significantly affected the electrical properties of the resulting Si solar cells. The viscosity of the fused glass frits at temperatures above their flow-point temperature affected the degree of Si wafer etching and the distribution of recrystallites on the n + emitter.