Optical Properties of Porous Silicon Solar Cells for Use in Transport

Abstract

Porous silicon (pSi) samples were prepared by electrochemical etching of p-type silicon (p-type Si) substrate. Three pSi samples with different parameters of electrochemical etching (electrical potential, etching time, etching current) were prepared and analyzed. We studied the influence of electrochemical etching parameters on spectral reflectance of pSi structure. A modification of interference pattern was observed due to changes of microstructure. We determined the thickness of pSi layers from spectral reflectance. Solar cells with a porous structure achieve high efficiency and long life. These solar cells are predestined for use in transport.

Performance Improvement of Graded Bandgap Solar Cell via Optimization of Energy Levels Alignment in Si Quantum Dot, TiO2 Nanoparticles, and Porous Si

“…The manufacturing costs of the Si-based solar cells and their limited efficiency of the photon to current conversion are the two key issues that must be addressed. The low photogeneration in crystalline Si (c-Si) is due to its high reflectance (over 40%) and high refractive index (approximately 3.5) [2], which appreciably affects the solar cell performance unless inhibited [3,4]. Amongst all other types of solar cells, the c-Si solar cell is still the best choice for photovoltaic customers due to its highest efficiency, long stability, and abundance of Si on earth crust.…”

“…As an anti-reflectance (AR) layer, PSi or black silicon (b-Si) have been utilized in solar cells [2]. High AR of PSi is related to the high porosity that absorbs the short wavelength of solar irradiation and converts it to the long-wavelength wherein the efficiency of the solar cell fabricated from PSi exceeded 22% [3,14]. The reflection of PSi proportionally gets inversed with the etching time due to its increased porosity, increasing the surface roughness.…”