Method for electrochemically depositing a metal electrode of a solar cell

Abstract

A method for electrochemically depositing a metal electrode of a solar cell, comprising the steps of: making the surface of the solar cell having a cathode contact with an electrolyte solution, connecting an anode of the solar cell and a solid metal, illuminating the main light-receiving surface of the solar cell, wherein metal ions in the electrolyte solution accept electrons formed on the cathode surface of the solar cell so that a metal is formed and deposited on the cathode surface of the solar cell, meanwhile, the solid metal provides electrons to the anode of the solar cell so that the metal ions are formed and dissolved in the electrolyte solution. By using this method, a problem of a decreased cell efficiency due to a short circuit caused by the deposition of metal on the anode will be solved, meanwhile, a possibility of damaging the solar cell and depositing metal unevenly as a result of using any kind of plating fixtures is avoided, the electrochemical reaction rate is effectively controlled, an evenness of the deposition of metal is guaranteed, and the manufacture of a solar cell having a selective diffusion structure is promoted.

1 . A method for electrochemically depositing a metal electrode of a solar cell, characterized by comprising the steps of:
 making the surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) having a cathode contact with an electrolyte solution ( 20 ),   connecting an anode of the solar cell ( 30 ) and a solid metal ( 50 ),   illuminating the main light-receiving surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) by a light source ( 60 ),   wherein metal ions in the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) accept electrons formed on the cathode surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) so that a metal is formed and deposited on the cathode surface of the solar cell ( 30 ), meanwhile, the solid metal ( 50 ) provides electrons to the anode of the solar cell so that the metal ions are formed and dissolved in the electrolyte solution ( 20 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the solar cell ( 30 ) does not contact the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) except for its surface having the cathode. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the surface contacting the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) of the solar cell ( 30 ) only comprises the cathode. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the surface contacting the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) of the solar cell ( 30 ) comprise both the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) includes metal ions, acid radicals, water and additives. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) comprises at least one metal ion. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) comprises at least one acid radical. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) comprises at least one additive. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the main light-receiving surface is the surface contacting the electrolyte solution ( 20 ) of the solar cell ( 30 ). 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the main light-receiving surface is the surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) which does not contact the electrolyte solution ( 20 ). 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that within the step of illuminating, the light source ( 60 ) for illuminating is the natural light or the light emitted by an illuminator. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that within the step of illuminating, the surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) is directly illuminated by light. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that within the step of illuminating, the surface of the solar cell ( 30 ) is illuminated by light passing through the electrolyte or other mediums. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the anode of the solar cell ( 30 ) is connected electrically with the solid metal ( 50 ) by a conductive wire ( 40 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the solid metal ( 50 ) is composed of at least one metal. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the solid metal ( 50 ) has at least one surface contacting the electrolyte solution ( 20 ). 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that further comprising the step of connecting an external power supply between the anode of the solar cell ( 30 ) and the solid metal ( 50 ). 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the external power supply is a direct current power supply whose cathode is connected with the anode of the solar cell ( 30 ) and whose anode is connected with the solid metal ( 50 ). 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the output power of the direct current power supply is not less than zero. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the composition of the solid metal ( 50 ) is the same as the composition of the metal deposited on the cathode surface of the solar cell ( 30 ). 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the solar cell ( 30 ) is fixed above the electrolyte solution ( 20 ). 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the solar cell ( 30 ) is moved along a horizontal direction.