Patent ID: 7851336

Claim:
A method for forming a passivated densified nanoparticle thin film on a substrate in a chamber, comprising: depositing a nanoparticle ink on a first region on the substrate, the nanoparticle ink including a set of Group IV semiconductor particles and a solvent; heating the nanoparticle ink to a first temperature between about 30° C. and about 400° C., and for a first time period between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes, wherein the solvent is substantially removed, and a porous compact is formed; flowing an oxidizer gas into the chamber; heating the porous compact to a second temperature between about 600° C. and about 1000° C., and for a second time period of between about 5 seconds and about 1 hour; wherein the passivated densified nanoparticle thin film is formed and wherein one of the following conditions is satisfied: a) the nanoparticle ink and the substrate are both n-doped; b) the nanoparticle ink and the substrate are both p-doped; c) the nanoparticle ink is p-type doped and the substrate is n-doped; or d) the nanoparticle ink is n-type doped and the substrate is p-doped.