Examples of suitable additives include those dispersants to assist dispersion of the solids portion in the paste, viscosity/rheology modifiers, thixotropy modifiers, wetting agents, thickeners, stabilisers and surfactants.
For example, the organic medium may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of rosin (kollophonium resin), acrylic resin (e.g. Neocryl 6), alkylammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid polymer (e.g. Dysperbik? 110 or 111), polyamide wax (such as Thixatrol Plus? or Thixatrol Max?), nitrocellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and lecithin.
Typically, the conductive paste is prepared by mixing together electrically conductive material, the components of the inorganic particle mixture and the components of the organic medium, in any order.
Manufacture of a Surface Electrode and Solar Cell
The skilled person is familiar with suitable methods for the manufacture of a surface electrode of a solar cell. Similarly, the skilled person is familiar with suitable methods for the manufacture of a solar cell.
The method for the manufacture of a surface electrode of a solar cell typically comprises applying a conductive paste onto the surface of a semiconductor substrate, and firing the applied conductive paste.