AkzoNobel working with SERIS on lower cost ALD and PECVD precursors

July 30, 2014
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Materials specialist, AkzoNobel is collaborating with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore in a bid to offer lower-cost ALD and PECVD precursors for aluminium oxide passivation layer processing.

Backside c-Si solar cell passivation is seen as a key technology step being deployed by PV manufacturers to improve cell efficiencies along with PERC and MWT technologies.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

AkzoNobel’s High Purity Metalorganics (HPMO) business unit has already developed a new technology for the production of high purity trimethylaluminum (TMAl), known as ‘TMAL Solar.’

However, the work at SERIS will focus on more cost-efficient metalorganic precursor grades that also need to be robust for the long-term performance of high efficiency solar cells.

“Solar cell manufacturers are constantly balancing between cost and performance. This is especially true for their raw materials,” said, Alberto Allegro, global business director, AkzoNobel HPMO. “As one of the leading suppliers of high purity metalorganics to the semiconductor and solar industries we have developed significant knowledge in this field. A good example is TMAL Solar, a specific solar grade of Trimethyl Aluminum for c-Si solar cell back surface passivation. This, coupled with SERIS’ thorough understanding of silicon wafer cell structures is the basis for the development of specific cost efficient precursor grades.”

“At SERIS, one of the main focus points is to bring down the cost of PV electricity. We believe that this is best done in close collaboration with the whole PV value chain,” added, Dr Bram Hoex, director of Silicon Materials and Cells at SERIS. “We explore various advanced silicon wafer solar cell structures that we intend to bring to high-volume manufacturing in the PV industry.”

Recently, Singapore-based PV manufacturer, REC Solar said it planned to integrate a passivation process to its cells as part of an upgrade and capacity expansion.

AkzoNobel believes that industrial grade trimethyaluminum used in the plastics industry and ultra-pure trimethylaluminum, used in the semiconductor industry are not ideal for the PV industry, while its TMAL Solar trimethylaluminum offers lower-cost and higher performance.

Read Next

October 16, 2025
Masdar and Turkey have entered the final stage of US$1 billion agreement to develop the 1.1GW plant in Bor, Niğde Province, central Turkey.
October 16, 2025
T1 Energy and Nextracker have agreed to use the latter’s steel module frames at the former’s new 5GW module manufacturing facility in Dallas.
October 16, 2025
US utility-scale solar additions grew by 56% in 2024, reaching 30GW from 2023’s 19GW and representing over 54% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the country last year.
October 16, 2025
Expanding the electrification of Europe’s energy sector, would be the 'main tool' to improve the EU’s energy security, according to Ember.
October 16, 2025
Jakson Green and Blueleaf Energy have reached financial close for the 840MWp Bikaner solar projects in Rajasthan, western India. 
October 16, 2025
Off-grid solar company Sun King has revealed plans to set up manufacturing operations in Kenya and Nigeria.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK