US20090181179A1 - Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells - Google Patents

Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20090181179A1
US20090181179A1 US12/013,263 US1326308A US2009181179A1 US 20090181179 A1 US20090181179 A1 US 20090181179A1 US 1326308 A US1326308 A US 1326308A US 2009181179 A1 US2009181179 A1 US 2009181179A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
sodium
metal powder
molybdenum
composite metal
depositing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/013,263
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Naresh Goel
Carl Cox
Dave Honecker
Eric Smith
Chris Michaluk
Adam DeBoskey
Sunil Chandra Jha
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cyprus Amax Minerals Co
Original Assignee
Climax Engineered Materials LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Climax Engineered Materials LLC filed Critical Climax Engineered Materials LLC
Priority to US12/013,263 priority Critical patent/US20090181179A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2009/030561 priority patent/WO2009089421A1/en
Priority to EP20090700939 priority patent/EP2232565B1/en
Priority to JP2010542366A priority patent/JP5574978B2/ja
Priority to MYPI2010003217A priority patent/MY157342A/en
Priority to HK11105387.7A priority patent/HK1151389B/xx
Priority to KR1020107017378A priority patent/KR101533133B1/ko
Priority to CN200980102060.1A priority patent/CN101919062B/zh
Priority to TW98100845A priority patent/TWI405723B/zh
Assigned to CLIMAX ENGINEERED MATERIALS, LLC reassignment CLIMAX ENGINEERED MATERIALS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: COX, CARL, HONECKER, DAVE, DEBOSKEY, ADAM, MICHALUK, CHRIS, JHA, SUNIL CHANDRA, GOEL, NARESH, SMITH, ERIC
Priority to US12/392,792 priority patent/US8197885B2/en
Publication of US20090181179A1 publication Critical patent/US20090181179A1/en
Priority to US13/038,578 priority patent/US8465692B2/en
Priority to US13/245,066 priority patent/US9103024B2/en
Priority to US14/449,514 priority patent/US20140342497A1/en
Assigned to CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY reassignment CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CLIMAX ENGINEERED MATERIALS, LLC
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
    • H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10F77/30—Coatings
    • H10F77/306—Coatings for devices having potential barriers
    • H10F77/311—Coatings for devices having potential barriers for photovoltaic cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F3/00—Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor ; Presses and furnaces
    • B22F3/12—Both compacting and sintering
    • B22F3/14—Both compacting and sintering simultaneously
    • B22F3/15—Hot isostatic pressing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C14/00—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material
    • C23C14/06—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material characterised by the coating material
    • C23C14/14—Metallic material, boron or silicon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C14/00—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material
    • C23C14/22—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material characterised by the process of coating
    • C23C14/34—Sputtering
    • C23C14/3407—Cathode assembly for sputtering apparatus, e.g. Target
    • C23C14/3414—Metallurgical or chemical aspects of target preparation, e.g. casting, powder metallurgy
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C4/00—Coating by spraying the coating material in the molten state, e.g. by flame, plasma or electric discharge
    • C23C4/04—Coating by spraying the coating material in the molten state, e.g. by flame, plasma or electric discharge characterised by the coating material
    • C23C4/06—Metallic material
    • C23C4/08—Metallic material containing only metal elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
    • H10F10/00—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells
    • H10F10/10—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells having potential barriers
    • H10F10/16—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers
    • H10F10/167—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising Group I-III-VI materials, e.g. CdS/CuInSe2 [CIS] heterojunction photovoltaic cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
    • H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
    • H10F77/12—Active materials
    • H10F77/126—Active materials comprising only Group I-III-VI chalcopyrite materials, e.g. CuInSe2, CuGaSe2 or CuInGaSe2 [CIGS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
    • H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
    • H10F77/16—Material structures, e.g. crystalline structures, film structures or crystal plane orientations
    • H10F77/169—Thin semiconductor films on metallic or insulating substrates
    • H10F77/1694—Thin semiconductor films on metallic or insulating substrates the films including Group I-III-VI materials, e.g. CIS or CIGS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
    • H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10F77/20—Electrodes
    • H10F77/206—Electrodes for devices having potential barriers
    • H10F77/211—Electrodes for devices having potential barriers for photovoltaic cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F2998/00—Supplementary information concerning processes or compositions relating to powder metallurgy
    • B22F2998/10—Processes characterised by the sequence of their steps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F2999/00—Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/541—CuInSe2 material PV cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/12—All metal or with adjacent metals
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
    • Y10T428/31678—Of metal

Definitions

  • This invention relates molybdenum-containing materials and coatings in general and more specifically to molybdenum coatings suitable for use in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells.
  • Molybdenum coatings are well-known in the art and may be applied by a variety of processes in a wide variety of applications.
  • One application for molybdenum coatings is in the production of photovoltaic cells. More specifically, one type of high-efficiency polycrystalline thin film photovoltaic cell involves an absorber layer comprising CuInGaSe 2 . Such photovoltaic cells are commonly referred to as “CIGS” photovoltaic cells after the elements comprising the absorber layer.
  • the CuInGaSe 2 absorber layer is formed or “grown” on a soda-lime glass substrate having a molybdenum film deposited thereon.
  • CIGS cells may be made lighter and may be readily conformed to a variety of shapes. While such cells have been made and are being used, the flexible substrates involved do not contain sodium. Consequently, the performance of CIGS cells manufactured on such substrates may be improved by doping the molybdenum layer with sodium. See, for example, Jae Ho Yun et al., Thin Solid Films, 515, 2007, 5876-5879.
  • a method for producing a composite metal powder according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise: Providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder. Also disclosed is a composite metal powder produced according to this process.
  • Another embodiment for producing a composite metal powder may comprise: Providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium molybdate powder; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium molybdate powder with water to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder. Also disclosed is a composite metal powder produced in accordance with this process.
  • Also disclosed is a method for producing a metal article that comprises: Producing a supply of a composite metal powder by: providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder; and consolidating the composite metal powder to form the metal article, the metal article comprising a sodium/molybdenum metal matrix. Also disclosed is a metal article produced accordance with this method.
  • a method for producing a photovoltaic cell in accordance with the teachings provided herein may comprise: Providing a substrate; depositing a sodium/molybdenum metal layer on the substrate; depositing an absorber layer on the sodium/molybdenum metal layer; and depositing a junction partner layer on the absorber layer.
  • a method for depositing a sodium/molybdenum film on a substrate may comprise: Providing a supply of a composite metal powder comprising molybdenum and sodium; and depositing the composite metal powder on the substrate by thermal spraying.
  • Another method for depositing a film on a substrate may comprise: Sputtering a target comprising a sodium/molybdenum metal matrix, sputtered material from the target forming the sodium/molybdenum film.
  • Another method for coating a substrate may comprise: Providing a supply of composite metal powder comprising molybdenum and sodium; and evaporating the composited metal powder to form a sodium/molybdenum film.
  • a method for coating a substrate may comprise: Providing a supply of a composite metal powder comprising molybdenum and sodium; mixing the supply of composite metal powder with a vehicle, and depositing the mixture of the composite metal powder and the vehicle on the substrate by printing.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of basic process steps which may be utilized to produce a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder
  • FIG. 2 is a process flow chart depicting methods for processing the composite metal powder mixture
  • FIG. 3 is a enlarged cross-section in elevation of a photovoltaic cell having a sodium/molybdenum metal layer
  • FIG. 4 is a scanning electron microscope image of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder mixture
  • FIG. 5 a is a spectral map produced by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy showing the dispersion of sodium in the image of FIG. 4 ;
  • FIG. 5 b is a spectral map produced by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy showing the dispersion of molybdenum in the image of FIG. 4 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of pulse combustion spray dry apparatus.
  • FIG. 7 is a plot showing the screen fraction distributions of exemplary composite metal powders produced in accordance with the teachings provided herein.
  • a process or method 10 for producing a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and, briefly described, may comprise a supply of a molybdenum metal powder 14 and a supply of a sodium compound 16 , such as, for example, sodium molybdate (Na 2 MoO 4 ) powder.
  • the molybdenum metal powder 14 and sodium molybdate powder 16 are combined with a liquid 18 , such as water, to form a slurry 20 .
  • the slurry 20 may then be spray dried, e.g., by a pulse combustion spray dryer 22 , in order to produce the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 may be used in its as-recovered or “green” form as a feedstock 24 for a variety of processes and applications, many of which are shown and described herein, and others of which will become apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein.
  • the “green” composite metal powder 12 may be further processed, e.g., by sintering 26 , by classification 28 , or combinations thereof, before being used as feedstock 24 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder feedstock 24 (e.g., in either the “green” form or in the processed form) may be used in a thermal spray deposition process 30 in order to deposit a sodium/molybdenum film 32 on a substrate 34 , as best seen in FIG. 3 .
  • Such sodium/molybdenum films 32 may be used to advantage in a wide variety of applications.
  • the sodium/molybdenum film 32 may comprise a portion of a photovoltaic cell 36 and may be used to improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell 36 .
  • the composite metal powder 12 may also be used as a feedstock 24 in a printing process 38 which may also be used to form a sodium/molybdenum film or coating 32 ′ on substrate 34 .
  • the composite metal powder feedstock 24 again in either its “green” form or in its processed form, may be consolidated at step 40 in order to produce a metal product 42 , such as a sputter target 44 .
  • the metal product 42 may be used “as is” directly from consolidation 40 .
  • the consolidated product may be further processed, e.g., by sintering 46 , in which case the metal product 42 will comprise a sintered metal product.
  • the metal product 42 comprises a sputter target 44 (i.e., in either a sintered form or an un-sintered form)
  • the sputter target 44 may be used, in a sputter deposition apparatus (not shown) in order to deposit a sodium/molybdenum film 32 ′′ on substrate 34 . See FIG. 3 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 comprises a plurality of generally spherically-shaped particles that are themselves agglomerations of smaller particles. Accordingly, the composite metal powder 12 may be characterized herein in the alternative as “soccer balls” formed of “BB's.” Moreover, and as is evidenced by FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the sodium is highly dispersed within the molybdenum.
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite powders of the present invention are not mere combinations of sodium metal powders and molybdenum metal powders, but rather comprise substantially homogeneous dispersions or composite mixtures of sodium and molybdenum sub-particles that are fused or agglomerated together.
  • the sodium/molybdenum metal powder composite is also of high density and possesses favorable flow characteristics.
  • exemplary sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders 12 produced in accordance with the teachings provided herein may have Scott densities in a range of about 2 g/cc to about 3 g/cc. Hall flowabilities range from less than about 35 s/50 g to as low as 30 s/50 g for the various example compositions shown and described herein.
  • a significant advantage of the present invention is that it provides a metallic combination of molybdenum and sodium that is otherwise difficult or impossible to achieve by conventional methods.
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder comprises a powdered material, it is not a mere mixture of sodium and molybdenum particles. Instead, the sodium and molybdenum sub-particles are actually fused together, so that individual particles of the powdered metal product comprise both sodium and molybdenum. Accordingly, powdered feedstocks 24 comprising the sodium/molybdenum composite powders according to the present invention will not separate (e.g., due to specific gravity differences) into sodium particles and molybdenum particles.
  • coatings or films produced from the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders will have compositions that are similar to the compositions of the sodium/molybdenum metal powders since such deposition processes do not rely on the codeposition of separate molybdenum and sodium particles that would each have different deposition rates.
  • the composite metal powders disclosed herein are also characterized by high densities and flowabilities, thereby allowing the composite metal powders to be used to advantage in a wide variety of power metallurgy processes that are now known in the art or that may be developed in the future.
  • the sodium molybdenum composite metal powders may be readily used in a wide variety of thermal spray deposition apparatus and associated processes to deposit sodium/molybdenum films or coatings on various substrates.
  • the powders may also be readily used in a wide variety of consolidation processes, such as cold and hot isostatic pressing processes as well as pressing and sintering processes.
  • the high flowability allows the powders disclosed herein to readily fill mold cavities, whereas the high densities minimizes shrinkage that may occur during subsequent sintering.
  • Sintering can be accomplished by heating in an inert atmosphere or in hydrogen to further reduce oxygen content of the compact.
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders may be used to form sputter targets, which may then be used in subsequent sputter deposition processes to form sodium/molybdenum films and coatings.
  • such sodium/molybdenum films may used to increase the energy conversion efficiencies of photovoltaic cells.
  • sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders 12 of one present invention methods for producing them, and how they may be used to produce sodium/molybdenum coatings or films on substrates, various embodiments of the composite powders, as well as methods for producing and using the composite powders will now be described in detail.
  • a method 10 for producing sodium/molybdenum composite powders 12 may comprise a supply of molybdenum metal powder 14 and a supply of a sodium compound 16 .
  • the molybdenum metal power 14 may comprise a molybdenum metal powder having a particle size in a range of about 0.1 ⁇ m to about 15 ⁇ m, although molybdenum metal powders 14 having other sizes may also be used.
  • Molybdenum metal powders suitable for use in the present invention are commercially available from Climax Molybdenum, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, and from Climax Molybdenum Company, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Ft. Madison Operations, Ft. Madison, Iowa (US). Alternatively, molybdenum metal powders from other sources may be used as well.
  • the sodium compound 16 may comprise sodium molybdate, either in its anhydrous form (i.e., Na 2 MoO 4 ) or as the dihydrate (i.e., Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O), although other sodium-containing materials including, but not limited to elemental sodium, Na 2 O, and Na(OH), may be used.
  • Sodium molybdate is usually available in powder form and may comprise any of a wide range of sizes.
  • the particle size of the sodium molybdate powder 16 is not particularly critical in embodiments wherein water is used as the liquid 18 , because sodium molybdate is soluble in water.
  • Sodium molybdate powders suitable for use in the present invention are commercially available from Climax Molybdenum, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Ft. Madison Operations, of Ft. Madison, Iowa (US). Alternatively, sodium molybdate may be obtained from other sources.
  • the molybdenum metal powder 14 and sodium molybdate 16 may be mixed with a liquid 18 to form a slurry 20 .
  • the liquid 18 may comprise deionized water, although other liquids, such as alcohols, volatile liquids, organic liquids, and various mixtures thereof, may also be used, as would become apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein. Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to the particular liquids 18 described herein.
  • a binder 48 may be used as well, although the addition of a binder 48 is not required.
  • Binders 48 suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Carbowax, and mixtures thereof.
  • the binder 48 may be mixed with the liquid 18 before adding the molybdenum metal powder 14 and the sodium molybdate 16 .
  • the binder 48 could be added to the slurry 20 , i.e., after the molybdenum metal 14 and sodium molybdate 16 have been combined with liquid 18 .
  • the slurry 20 may comprise from about 15% to about 25% by weight liquid (e.g., either liquid 18 alone, or liquid 18 combined with binder 48 ), with the balance comprising the molybdenum metal powder 14 and the sodium compound 16 .
  • the sodium compound 16 e.g., sodium molybdate
  • the sodium compound 16 may be added in amounts suitable to provide the composite metal powder 12 and/or final product with the desired amount of “retained” sodium. Because the amount of retained sodium will vary depending on a wide range of factors, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to the provision of the sodium compound 16 in any particular amounts.
  • Factors that may affect the amount of sodium compound 16 that is to be provided in slurry 20 include, but are not limited to, the particular product that is to be produced, the particular “downstream” processes that may be employed, e.g., depending on whether the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 is sintered, and on whether the desired quantity of retained sodium is to be in the powder feedstock (e.g., 24 ) or in a deposited film or coating (e.g., 32 , 32 ′, 32 ′′).
  • the mixture of molybdenum metal 14 and sodium molybdate 16 may comprise from about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight sodium molybdate 18 .
  • slurry 20 may comprise from about 0% by weight (i.e., no binder) to about 2% by weight binder 48 .
  • the balance of slurry 20 may comprise molybdenum metal powder 14 (e.g., in amounts ranging from about 58% by weight to about 84% by weight) and sodium molybdate 16 (e.g., in amounts ranging from about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight).
  • Slurry 22 may then be spray dried by any of a wide range of processes that are now known in the art or that may be developed in the future in order to produce the composite metal powder product 12 , as would become apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein. Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular drying process.
  • the slurry 20 is spray dried in a pulse combustion spray dryer 22 .
  • pulse combustion spray dryer 22 may be of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0219056, of Larink, Jr., entitled “Metal Powders and Methods for Producing the Same,” which is specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses.
  • slurry 20 may be fed into pulse combustion spray dryer 22 , whereupon slurry 20 impinges a stream of hot gas (or gases) 50 , which are pulsed at or near sonic speeds.
  • the sonic pulses of hot gas 50 contact the slurry 20 and drive-off substantially all of the water and form the composite metal powder product 12 .
  • the temperature of the pulsating stream of hot gas 50 may be in a range of about 300° C. to about 800° C., such as about 465° C. to about 537° C., and more preferably about 500° C.
  • the pulsating stream of hot gas 50 may be produced by a pulse combustion system 22 of the type that is well-known in the art and readily commercially available.
  • the pulse combustion system 22 may comprise a pulse combustion system of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0219056.
  • combustion air 51 may be fed (e.g., pumped) through, an inlet 52 into the outer shell 54 of the pulse combustion system 22 at low pressure, whereupon it flows through a unidirectional air valve 56 .
  • the air then enters a tuned combustion chamber 58 where fuel is added via fuel valves or ports 60 .
  • the fuel-air mixture is then ignited by a pilot 62 , creating a pulsating stream of hot combustion gases 64 which may be pressurized to a variety of pressures, e.g., in a range of about 15,000 Pa (about 2.2 psi) to about 20,000 Pa (about 3 psi) above the combustion fan pressure.
  • the pulsating stream of hot combustion gases 64 rushes down tailpipe 66 toward the atomizer 68 .
  • quench air 70 may be fed through an inlet 72 and may be blended with the hot combustion gases 64 in order to attain a pulsating stream of hot gases 50 having the desired temperature.
  • the slurry 20 is introduced into the pulsating stream of hot gases 50 via the atomizer 68 .
  • the atomized slurry may then disperse in the conical outlet 74 and thereafter enter a conventional tall-form drying chamber (not shown).
  • the composite metal powder product 12 may be recovered using standard collection equipment, such as cyclones and/or baghouses (also not shown).
  • the air valve 56 is cycled open and closed to alternately let air into the combustion chamber 58 and close for the combustion thereof.
  • the air valve 56 may be reopened for a subsequent pulse just after the previous combustion episode.
  • the reopening then allows a subsequent air charge (e.g., combustion air 51 ) to enter.
  • the fuel valve 60 then re-admits fuel, and the mixture auto-ignites in the combustion chamber 58 , as described above.
  • This cycle of opening and closing the air valve 56 and combusting the fuel in the chamber 58 in a pulsing fashion may be controllable at various frequencies, e.g., from about 80 Hz to about 110 Hz, although other frequencies may also be used.
  • FIGS. 4 , 5 a, and 5 b The “green” sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder product 12 produced by the pulse combustion spray drying process described herein is illustrated in FIGS. 4 , 5 a, and 5 b, and comprises a plurality of generally spherically-shaped particles that are themselves agglomerations of smaller particles.
  • the sodium is highly dispersed within the molybdenum, comprising a substantially homogeneous dispersion or composite mixture of sodium and molybdenum sub-particles that are fused together.
  • FIG. 5 a is a spectral map produced by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (“EDS”) that illustrates the presence of sodium within the sample of the composite metal material 12 that is shown in FIG. 4 .
  • EDS energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
  • 5 b is a spectral map produced by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy that shows the presence of molybdenum within the sample. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 4 and 5 a and 5 b, the sodium is generally evenly and widely dispersed throughout the composite metal powder product 12 .
  • the composite metal powder produce 12 produced in accordance with the teachings provided herein will comprise a wide range of sizes, and particles having sizes ranging from about 1 ⁇ m to about 100 ⁇ m, such as, for example, sizes ranging from about 5 ⁇ m to about 45 ⁇ m and from about 45 ⁇ m to about 90 ⁇ m, can be readily produced by the following the teachings provided herein.
  • the composite metal powder product 12 may be classified e.g., at step 28 ( FIG. 2 ), if desired, to provide a product 12 having a more narrow size range.
  • Sieve analyses of various exemplary composite metal powder products 12 are provided in FIG. 7 , which is a plot of the particle size distributions (by U.S. Tyler mesh) of the “green” composite metal powder product 12 produced by slurry compositions comprising 3, 7, 9, and 15% by weight sodium molybdate 18 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 is also of high density and is generally quite flowable.
  • Exemplary composite metal powder products 12 have Scott densities (i.e., apparent densities) in a range of about 2 g/cc to about 3 g/cc, as identified in the various Examples set forth herein. Hall flowabilities range from about 35 s/50 g to as low as 30 s/50 g, again as identified in the various Examples set forth herein.
  • One example composition i.e., Example 12
  • liquid 18 and/or binder 48 may remain in the resulting “green” composite metal powder product 12 .
  • Any remaining liquid 18 may be driven-off (e.g., partially or entirely), by a subsequent sintering or heating step 26 . See FIG. 2 .
  • the heating or sintering process 26 is conducted at a moderate temperatures in order to drive off the liquid components and oxygen, but not substantial quantities of sodium. Some sodium may be lost during heating 26 , which will reduce the amount of retained sodium in the sintered or feedstock product 24 . It is also generally preferred, but not required, to conduct the heating 26 in a hydrogen atmosphere in order to minimize oxidation of the composite metal powder 12 .
  • Retained oxygen is low, less than about 6%, and generally less than about 2%, as indicated in the Examples provided below.
  • Heating 26 may be conducted at temperatures within a range of about 500° C. to about 825° C. Alternatively, temperatures as high as 1050° C. may be used for short periods of time. However, such higher temperatures will usually reduce the amount of retained sodium in the final product.
  • a variety of sizes of agglomerated products may be produced during the drying process, and it may be desirable to further separate or classify the composite metal powder product 12 into a metal powder product having a size range within a desired product size range.
  • most of the composite metal powder material produced will comprise particle sizes in a wide range (e.g., from about 1 ⁇ m to about 150 ⁇ m), with a substantial amount of product being in the range of about 5 ⁇ m to about 45 ⁇ m (i.e., ⁇ 325 U.S. Tyler mesh) and again in the range of about 45 ⁇ m to 90 ⁇ m (i.e., ⁇ 170+325 U.S. Tyler mesh). See FIG. 7 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 may be used in various apparatus and processes to deposit sodium/molybdenum films on substrates.
  • such sodium/molybdenum films can be used to advantage in the fabrication of photovoltaic cells.
  • the energy conversion efficiency of a CIGS photovoltaic cell can be increased if sodium is allowed to diffuse into the molybdenum layer typically used to form an ohmic contact of the photovoltaic cell.
  • efficiency gains are automatically realized in CIGS structures wherein the molybdenum ohmic contact is deposited on a soda-glass substrate. However, they are not realized in structures wherein soda-glass is not used as a substrate.
  • a photovoltaic cell 36 may comprise a substrate 34 on which a sodium/molybdenum film 32 , 32 ′, 32 ′′ may be deposited.
  • the substrate 34 may comprise any of a wide range of substrates such as, for example, stainless steel, flexible poly films, or other substrate materials now known in the art or that may be developed in the future that are, or would be, suitable for such devices.
  • a sodium/molybdenum film 32 , 32 ′, 32 ′′ may then be deposited on the substrate 34 by any of a wide range of processes now known in the art or that may be developed in the future, but utilizing in some form the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder material 12 .
  • the sodium/molybdenum film may be deposited by thermal spray deposition, by printing, by evaporation, or by sputtering.
  • junction partner layer 78 may be deposited on the absorber layer 76 .
  • Junction partner layer 78 may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide.
  • a transparent conductive oxide layer 80 may be deposited on junction partner layer 78 to form the photovoltaic cell 36 .
  • Junction partner layer 78 and transparent conductive oxide layer 80 may be deposited by any of a wide range processes and methods now known in the art or that may be developed in the future that are, or would be, suitable for depositing these materials. Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular deposition process.
  • the sodium/molybdenum layer or film 32 , 32 ′, 32 ′′ may be deposited by any of a wide range of processes. Generally speaking, it is believed that sodium concentrations of about 1% by weight will be sufficient to provide the desired efficiency enhancements. Accordingly, the retained sodium present in the feedstock material 24 may be adjusted or varied as necessary in order to provide the desired level of sodium in the resulting sodium/molybdenum film 32 . Generally speaking, retained sodium levels ranging from about 0.2% by weight to about 3.5% by weight in the feedstock material 24 will be sufficient to provide the desired degree of sodium enrichment in the sodium/molybdenum film 32 . As indicated in the Examples, such retained sodium levels (e.g., from about 0.2 wt.
  • % to about 3.5 wt. %) may be achieved in “green” and sintered (i.e., heated) feedstock material 24 produced by slurries 20 containing from about 3 wt. % to about 15 wt. % sodium molybdate.
  • a sodium/molybdenum film 32 may be deposited by a thermal spray process 30 utilizing the feedstock material 24 .
  • Thermal spray process 30 may be accomplished by using any of a wide variety of thermal spray guns and operated in accordance with any of a wide range of parameters in order to deposit on substrate 34 a sodium/molybdenum film 32 having the desired thickness and properties.
  • thermal spray processes are well known in the art and because persons having ordinary skill in the art would be capable of utilizing such processes after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein, the particular thermal spray process 30 that may be utilized will not be described in further detail herein.
  • a sodium/molybdenum film 32 ′ may be deposited on substrate 34 by a printing process 38 utilizing the feedstock material 24 .
  • Feedstock material 24 may be mixed with a suitable vehicle (not shown) to form an “ink” or “paint” that may then be deposited on substrate 34 by any of a wide range of printing processes.
  • a suitable vehicle not shown
  • the particular printing process 38 that may be utilized will not be described in further detail herein.
  • a sodium/molybdenum film 32 ′′ may be deposited on substrate 34 by an evaporation process 39 utilizing the feedstock material 24 .
  • evaporation process 39 would involve placing the feedstock material 24 in a crucible (not shown) of a suitable evaporation apparatus (also not shown).
  • the feedstock material 24 could be placed in the crucible either in the form of a loose powder, pressed pellets, or other consolidated forms, or in any combination thereof.
  • the feedstock material 24 would the be heated in the crucible until it evaporates, whereupon the evaporated material would be deposited on substrate 34 , forming the sodium/molybdenum film 32 ′′.
  • Evaporation process 39 may utilize any of a wide range of evaporation apparatus now known in the art or that may be developed in the future that could be used to evaporate the feedstock material 24 and deposit film 32 ′′ on substrate 34 . Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to use with any particular evaporation apparatus operated in accordance with any particular parameters. Moreover, because such evaporation apparatus are well known in the art and could be readily implemented by persons having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein, the particular evaporation apparatus that may be utilized will not be described in further detail herein.
  • the sputter target 41 may comprise a metal product 42 that may be fabricated by consolidating or forming the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 at step 40 .
  • the sputter target 44 could be formed by thermal spraying 30 .
  • the feedstock material 24 in either its “green” form or processed form, may be consolidated or formed in step 40 to produce the metal product (e.g., sputter target 44 ).
  • the consolidation process 40 may comprise any of a wide range of compaction, pressing, and forming processes now known in the art or that may be developed in the future that would be suitable for the particular application. Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular consolidation process.
  • the consolidation process 40 may comprise any of a wide range of cold isostatic pressing processes or any of a wide range of hot isostatic pressing processes that are well-known in the art.
  • cold and hot isostatic pressing processes generally involve the application of considerable pressure and heat (in the case of hot isostatic pressing) in order to consolidate or form the composite metal powder feedstock material 24 into the desired shape.
  • Hot isostatic pressing processes may be conducted at temperatures of 900° C. or greater, depending on the green density of the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder compact and the retained sodium loss that could be tolerated in the final product.
  • the resulting metal product 42 (e.g., sputter target 44 ) may be used “as is” or may be further processed.
  • the metal product 42 may be heated or sintered at step 46 in order to further increase the density of the metal product 42 . It may be desirable to conduct such a heating process 46 in a hydrogen atmosphere in order to minimize the likelihood that the metal product 42 will become oxidized. Generally speaking, it will be preferred to conduct such heating at temperatures below about 825° C. as higher temperatures may result in substantial reductions in the amount of retained sodium, although higher temperatures (e.g., temperatures of 1050° C. or greater) could be used.
  • the resulting metal product 42 may also be machined if necessary or desired before being placed in service. Such machining could be done regardless of whether the final product 42 was sintered.
  • molybdenum metal and sodium molybdate powders 14 , 16 specified herein and available from Climax Molybdenum and/or Climax Molybdenum, Ft. Madison Operations.
  • Various ratios of the powders 14 and 16 were combined with deionized water to form the slurries 20 . More specifically, the slurries 20 utilized for the various examples comprised about 20% by weight water (i.e., liquid 18 ), with the remainder being molybdenum metal and sodium molybdate powders.
  • the ratio of molybdenum metal powder to sodium molybdate was varied in the various examples to range from about 3% by weight to about 15% by weight sodium molybdate. More specifically, the Examples involved amounts of 3, 7, 9, and 15 weight percent sodium molybdate.
  • the slurries 20 were then fed into the pulse combustion spray drying system 22 in the manner described herein.
  • the temperature of the pulsating stream of hot gases 50 was controlled to be within a range of about 465° C. to about 537° C.
  • the pulsating stream of hot gases 50 produced by the pulse combustion system 22 substantially drove-off the water from the slurry 20 to form the composite metal powder product 12 .
  • the contact zone and contact time were very short, the contact zone on the order of about 5.1 cm and the time of contact being on the order of 0.2 microseconds.
  • the resulting metal powder product 12 comprised agglomerations of smaller particles that were substantially solid (i.e., not hollow) and having generally spherical shapes.
  • An SEM photo of a “green” sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder 12 produced by a slurry 20 comprising 9% by weight sodium molybdate is presented in FIG. 4 .
  • Data in Tables I and II are presented for the various examples in both “green” form, and after being sintered or heated in a hydrogen atmosphere at the temperatures and for the times specified. Data are also presented for screened green material (+325 mesh moly) as also indicated in Tables I and II.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Metal Powder And Suspensions Thereof (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
US12/013,263 2008-01-11 2008-01-11 Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells Abandoned US20090181179A1 (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/013,263 US20090181179A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2008-01-11 Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells
CN200980102060.1A CN101919062B (zh) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 钠/钼复合金属粉末、其产品以及光伏电池的生产方法
EP20090700939 EP2232565B1 (en) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
JP2010542366A JP5574978B2 (ja) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 ナトリウム／モリブデン複合金属粉末、その製造物、および光電池の製造方法
MYPI2010003217A MY157342A (en) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
HK11105387.7A HK1151389B (en) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
KR1020107017378A KR101533133B1 (ko) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 소듐/몰리브덴 복합 금속 분말, 그의 제품, 및 광전지를 생산하는 방법
PCT/US2009/030561 WO2009089421A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2009-01-09 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
TW98100845A TWI405723B (zh) 2008-01-11 2009-01-10 鈉／鉬複合金屬粉末、其產物、及製造光伏電池之方法
US12/392,792 US8197885B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2009-02-25 Methods for producing sodium/molybdenum power compacts
US13/038,578 US8465692B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2011-03-02 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal articles and methods for producing metal articles
US13/245,066 US9103024B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2011-09-26 Sodium / molybdenum metal articles and powder compacts
US14/449,514 US20140342497A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2014-08-01 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/013,263 US20090181179A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2008-01-11 Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells

Related Child Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/392,792 Continuation-In-Part US8197885B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2009-02-25 Methods for producing sodium/molybdenum power compacts
US13/038,578 Division US8465692B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2011-03-02 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal articles and methods for producing metal articles
US14/449,514 Continuation US20140342497A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2014-08-01 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090181179A1 true US20090181179A1 (en) 2009-07-16

Family

ID=40850871

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/013,263 Abandoned US20090181179A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2008-01-11 Sodium/Molybdenum Composite Metal Powders, Products Thereof, and Methods for Producing Photovoltaic Cells
US13/038,578 Expired - Fee Related US8465692B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2011-03-02 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal articles and methods for producing metal articles
US14/449,514 Abandoned US20140342497A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2014-08-01 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/038,578 Expired - Fee Related US8465692B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2011-03-02 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal articles and methods for producing metal articles
US14/449,514 Abandoned US20140342497A1 (en) 2008-01-11 2014-08-01 Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (3) US20090181179A1 (enExample)
EP (1) EP2232565B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JP5574978B2 (enExample)
KR (1) KR101533133B1 (enExample)
CN (1) CN101919062B (enExample)
MY (1) MY157342A (enExample)
TW (1) TWI405723B (enExample)
WO (1) WO2009089421A1 (enExample)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012069995A3 (en) * 2010-11-23 2012-08-16 Somont Gmbh Methods and apparatus for applying a connection agent to atleast a connector for connection atleast a solar cell
US8632745B1 (en) 2012-12-21 2014-01-21 Ut-Battelle, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling stoichiometry in multicomponent materials
CN106111994A (zh) * 2016-02-12 2016-11-16 Nep有限公司 使用铁类金属粒状粉末制造铁类金属零件的方法
CN116875946A (zh) * 2023-07-27 2023-10-13 洛阳汇晶新材料科技有限公司 一种钼钠合金靶材制备工艺
CN118808654A (zh) * 2024-09-18 2024-10-22 洛阳科威钨钼有限公司 一种高镀膜性能钼钠合金靶材的制备方法

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8197885B2 (en) * 2008-01-11 2012-06-12 Climax Engineered Materials, Llc Methods for producing sodium/molybdenum power compacts
EP2591133A2 (en) * 2010-07-09 2013-05-15 Climax Engineered Materials, LLC Potassium / molybdenum composite metal powders, powder blends, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
US9150958B1 (en) 2011-01-26 2015-10-06 Apollo Precision Fujian Limited Apparatus and method of forming a sputtering target
JP5766966B2 (ja) * 2011-01-31 2015-08-19 新日鐵住金株式会社 Ｎａ含有Ｍｏターゲット及びその製造方法
CN103045925B (zh) * 2013-01-29 2015-01-28 洛阳高新四丰电子材料有限公司 一种钼钠合金旋转溅射管形靶材的制备工艺
CN103160791B (zh) * 2013-03-26 2015-04-22 无锡舒玛天科新能源技术有限公司 一种钠掺杂钼平面溅射靶材的制备方法
CN103196933A (zh) * 2013-03-27 2013-07-10 金堆城钼业股份有限公司 钼化合物/钼合金粉末掺杂元素分布微观均匀性检测方法
CN103898345B (zh) * 2014-04-29 2016-04-06 金堆城钼业股份有限公司 一种钼钠合金材料的制备方法
CN104117685B (zh) * 2014-07-30 2016-08-24 金堆城钼业股份有限公司 一种钼酸钠掺杂钼粉的制备方法
CN108603295A (zh) * 2016-01-29 2018-09-28 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 金属连接的粒子制品
CN107452818A (zh) * 2017-08-16 2017-12-08 蚌埠兴科玻璃有限公司 一种铜铟镓硒薄膜太阳能电池背电极及其制备方法
US11772163B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2023-10-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Three-dimensional printing systems
CN110904374B (zh) * 2019-12-17 2021-08-10 株洲硬质合金集团有限公司 一种钠掺杂钼合金材料的制备方法

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3071463A (en) * 1960-05-17 1963-01-01 Sylvania Electric Prod Method of producing sintered metal bodies
US3617358A (en) * 1967-09-29 1971-11-02 Metco Inc Flame spray powder and process
US4146388A (en) * 1977-12-08 1979-03-27 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Molybdenum plasma spray powder, process for producing said powder, and coatings made therefrom
US4376055A (en) * 1979-09-12 1983-03-08 Elco Corporation Process for making highly sulfurized oxymolybdenum organo compounds
US4622068A (en) * 1984-11-15 1986-11-11 Murex Limited Sintered molybdenum alloy process
US4770948A (en) * 1983-09-22 1988-09-13 Nihon Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha High-purity metal and metal silicide target for LSI electrodes
US4976779A (en) * 1988-11-08 1990-12-11 Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Oxygen-containing molybdenum metal powder and processes for its preparation
US5063021A (en) * 1990-05-23 1991-11-05 Gte Products Corporation Method for preparing powders of nickel alloy and molybdenum for thermal spray coatings
US5346678A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-09-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Production of high specific activity silicon-32
US5523048A (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-06-04 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Method for producing high density refractory metal warhead liners from single phase materials
US5626688A (en) * 1994-12-01 1997-05-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer
US6022395A (en) * 1998-03-24 2000-02-08 Osram Sylvania Inc. Method for increasing tap density of molybdenum powder
US6102979A (en) * 1998-08-28 2000-08-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Oxide strengthened molybdenum-rhenium alloy
US20060219056A1 (en) * 2005-03-29 2006-10-05 Larink Steven C Jr Metal powders and methods for producing the same
US7250076B2 (en) * 2000-11-13 2007-07-31 Dacral Use of MoO3 as corrosion inhibitor, and coating composition containing such an inhibitor
US20080057203A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2008-03-06 Robinson Matthew R Solid group iiia particles formed via quenching

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4714468A (en) * 1985-08-13 1987-12-22 Pfizer Hospital Products Group Inc. Prosthesis formed from dispersion strengthened cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy produced by gas atomization
SE9402672D0 (sv) * 1994-08-10 1994-08-10 Hoeganaes Ab Chromium containing materials having high tensile strength
JPH11274534A (ja) * 1998-03-25 1999-10-08 Yazaki Corp Ｉ−ｉｉｉ−ｖｉ族系化合物半導体及びこれを用いた薄膜太陽電池
JP3857547B2 (ja) * 2001-07-09 2006-12-13 独立行政法人科学技術振興機構 噴霧熱分解法による微粒子の製造方法
US6593213B2 (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-07-15 Heliovolt Corporation Synthesis of layers, coatings or films using electrostatic fields
US6793907B1 (en) * 2002-07-29 2004-09-21 Osram Sylvania Inc. Ammonium dodecamolybdomolybdate and method of making
JP2005146406A (ja) * 2003-10-23 2005-06-09 Zenhachi Okumi 微粒子の製造方法及びそのための装置
JP4228223B2 (ja) * 2004-04-27 2009-02-25 日本新金属株式会社 スパッタリング用高純度金属Ｍｏ焼結ターゲットの製造に原料粉末として用いるのに適した高純度金属Ｍｏ粗粒粉末
US20060062926A1 (en) * 2004-05-17 2006-03-23 Richardson H W Use of sub-micron copper salt particles in wood preservation
CA2529326A1 (en) * 2004-05-17 2005-11-24 National Research Council Of Canada Binder for powder metallurgical compositions
US20060042728A1 (en) * 2004-08-31 2006-03-02 Brad Lemon Molybdenum sputtering targets
US7524353B2 (en) * 2004-10-21 2009-04-28 Climax Engineered Materials, Llc Densified molybdenum metal powder and method for producing same
US7276102B2 (en) * 2004-10-21 2007-10-02 Climax Engineered Materials, Llc Molybdenum metal powder and production thereof
US20070295390A1 (en) * 2006-05-05 2007-12-27 Nanosolar, Inc. Individually encapsulated solar cells and solar cell strings having a substantially inorganic protective layer

Patent Citations (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3071463A (en) * 1960-05-17 1963-01-01 Sylvania Electric Prod Method of producing sintered metal bodies
US3617358A (en) * 1967-09-29 1971-11-02 Metco Inc Flame spray powder and process
US4146388A (en) * 1977-12-08 1979-03-27 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Molybdenum plasma spray powder, process for producing said powder, and coatings made therefrom
US4376055A (en) * 1979-09-12 1983-03-08 Elco Corporation Process for making highly sulfurized oxymolybdenum organo compounds
US4770948A (en) * 1983-09-22 1988-09-13 Nihon Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha High-purity metal and metal silicide target for LSI electrodes
US4622068A (en) * 1984-11-15 1986-11-11 Murex Limited Sintered molybdenum alloy process
US4976779A (en) * 1988-11-08 1990-12-11 Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Oxygen-containing molybdenum metal powder and processes for its preparation
US5037705A (en) * 1988-11-08 1991-08-06 Hermann C. Starck Berlin Gmbh & Co. Kg Oxygen-containing molybdenum metal powder and processes for its preparation
US5063021A (en) * 1990-05-23 1991-11-05 Gte Products Corporation Method for preparing powders of nickel alloy and molybdenum for thermal spray coatings
US5346678A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-09-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Production of high specific activity silicon-32
US5523048A (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-06-04 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Method for producing high density refractory metal warhead liners from single phase materials
US5626688A (en) * 1994-12-01 1997-05-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer
US6022395A (en) * 1998-03-24 2000-02-08 Osram Sylvania Inc. Method for increasing tap density of molybdenum powder
US6102979A (en) * 1998-08-28 2000-08-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Oxide strengthened molybdenum-rhenium alloy
US7250076B2 (en) * 2000-11-13 2007-07-31 Dacral Use of MoO3 as corrosion inhibitor, and coating composition containing such an inhibitor
US20060219056A1 (en) * 2005-03-29 2006-10-05 Larink Steven C Jr Metal powders and methods for producing the same
US7470307B2 (en) * 2005-03-29 2008-12-30 Climax Engineered Materials, Llc Metal powders and methods for producing the same
US20080057203A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2008-03-06 Robinson Matthew R Solid group iiia particles formed via quenching

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012069995A3 (en) * 2010-11-23 2012-08-16 Somont Gmbh Methods and apparatus for applying a connection agent to atleast a connector for connection atleast a solar cell
US8632745B1 (en) 2012-12-21 2014-01-21 Ut-Battelle, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling stoichiometry in multicomponent materials
CN106111994A (zh) * 2016-02-12 2016-11-16 Nep有限公司 使用铁类金属粒状粉末制造铁类金属零件的方法
CN116875946A (zh) * 2023-07-27 2023-10-13 洛阳汇晶新材料科技有限公司 一种钼钠合金靶材制备工艺
CN118808654A (zh) * 2024-09-18 2024-10-22 洛阳科威钨钼有限公司 一种高镀膜性能钼钠合金靶材的制备方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20110147208A1 (en) 2011-06-23
US8465692B2 (en) 2013-06-18
WO2009089421A1 (en) 2009-07-16
HK1151389A1 (zh) 2012-01-27
EP2232565A1 (en) 2010-09-29
KR101533133B1 (ko) 2015-07-01
CN101919062A (zh) 2010-12-15
MY157342A (en) 2016-05-31
EP2232565A4 (en) 2012-07-25
US20140342497A1 (en) 2014-11-20
TWI405723B (zh) 2013-08-21
KR20100129268A (ko) 2010-12-08
CN101919062B (zh) 2014-02-19
JP5574978B2 (ja) 2014-08-20
TW200942492A (en) 2009-10-16
EP2232565B1 (en) 2014-03-12
JP2011511886A (ja) 2011-04-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8465692B2 (en) Sodium/molybdenum composite metal articles and methods for producing metal articles
US8197885B2 (en) Methods for producing sodium/molybdenum power compacts
US20120006676A1 (en) Potassium/molybdenum composite metal powders, powder blends, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
US9334559B2 (en) Powder, sintered body and sputtering target, each containing elements of Cu, In, Ga and Se, and method for producing the powder
CN101245443B (zh) 靶材以及该靶材所制造的薄膜
DE112011100332T5 (de) Oxidverdampfungsmaterial, dampfabgeschiedene dünnschicht und solarzelle
HK1151389B (en) Sodium/molybdenum composite metal powders, products thereof, and methods for producing photovoltaic cells
HK1164785B (en) Sodium/molybdenum powder compacts and methods for producing the same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CLIMAX ENGINEERED MATERIALS, LLC, ARIZONA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GOEL, NARESH;COX, CARL;HONECKER, DAVE;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022225/0737;SIGNING DATES FROM 20080116 TO 20090205

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE

AS Assignment

Owner name: CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY, ARIZONA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CLIMAX ENGINEERED MATERIALS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:065541/0519

Effective date: 20210825