Thin-film metallization of CuInGaSe2 nanoparticles by supersonic kinetic spraying

Abstract

High-speed spraying quickly deposits dry, solid particles at atmospheric pressure, without the use of binders, across large coating areas. We experimentally deposited Al2O3 and copper-indiumgallium-selenium (CIGS) nanoparticles on Al2O3 and molybdenum substrates and numerically replicated the results to elucidate the details of the deposition mechanisms. Thin films formed from layers of sprayed-particle impacts. Both single-and multiple-particle impacts are simulated and increases in pressure, temperature and von Mises stress are reported. Both experimentally and numerically, micron-sized particles are pulverized into flattened layers of nano-sized particle fragments. Characterizing the impact physics (particle collapse speed, energy exchange, and substrate damage) helps identify the optimum operating envelope for particle speeds less than 200 m/s that maximizes thin-film growth rates and minimizes substrate damage. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.