Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processes for "Green" Third Generation Photovoltaics

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure plasmas (APPs) have achieved great scientific and technological advances for a wide range of applications. The synthesis and treatment of materials by APPs have always attracted great attention due to potential economic benefits if compared to low-pressure plasma processes. Nonetheless, APPs present very distinctive features that suggest atmospheric pressure operation could bring other benefits for emerging new technologies. In particular, materials synthesized by APPs which are suitable candidates for third generation photovoltaics are reviewed here. Atmospheric pressure plasmas offer unique capabilities for new emerging advanced materials, which are required for next generation technologies. Here advances and opportunities are reviewed in the context of materials processing for third generation photovoltaic devices.