Silicon nanocrystals as light converter for solar cells

Švrček, Vladimír; Slaoui, A.; Müller, J. C.

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2003.10.133

Cited by 179 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…An optimized C Si was selected. Thus, the increase in η due to PL conversion is evidently greater than those previously reported [3,9] . The reflectance spectra for the SOG and SOG+Si-np were measured, as shown in Fig.…”

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confidence: 58%

Solar cell performance improvement via photoluminescence conversion of Si nanoparticles

et al. 2012

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Photoluminescence (PL) conversion of Si nanoparticles by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) lights and emitting visible ones has been used to improve the efficiency of crystalline Si solar cells. Si nanoparticle thin films are prepared by pulverizing porous Si in ethanol and then mixing the suspension with a SiO 2 sol-gel (SOG). This SOG is spin-deposited onto the surface of the Si solar cells and dries in air. The short-circuit current as a function of Si nanoparticle concentration is investigated under UV illumination. The maximal increase is found at a Si concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. At such concentration and under the irradiation of an AM0 solar simulator, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the crystalline Si solar cell is relatively increased by 2.16% because of the PL conversion.OCIS codes: 310.6628, 310.6860, 350.6050, 160.4236. doi: 10.3788/COL201210.063101. The use of solar cells as electric power supply is one of the solutions to the problems of increasing global energy consumption and decreasing fossil fuel storage [1] . Moreover, it is almost the only energy source for satellites, space stations, and other outer space exploration activities [2] . Currently, commercial solar cells normally utilize a narrow band of solar emission spectrum, i.e., from visible to near-infrared regimes, because of the bandgap limitations of the related semiconductors, such as Si, GaAs, CdTe, and CuIn 1−x Ga x Se 2 [3,4] . Thus, the main approach in improving the performance of the current solar cells is the use of upconversion films to convert infrared lights into visible ones and thus increase the absorbed light flux of a solar cell [3−6] . However, the upconversion probability is so low that its practical application is still currently unavailable. Another approach is the use of downconversion and photoluminescence (PL) conversion mechanisms to convert ultraviolet (UV) lights into visible ones for the same purpose [3−12] . Although the quantum efficiency of downconversion for current materials could be high, the wavelength range of UV light to be downconverted is usually from 100 to 200 nm, which is hardly covered by the solar spectrum. The PL conversion probability can be on the order of 10% [3,13,14] compared with that of upconversion, which is less than 0.1%. Thus, PL conversion is practically and technically important particularly for solar cells used in the outer space and highlands because the amount of UV light (∼ 250 nm < λ < 390 nm) from the sun is relatively high [9−12] . During the investigation of Si nanoparticle light emissions, Si nanoparticles were found to absorb UV light and emit red or near-infrared ones [9−14] . This feature of PL conversion can be used to improve the performance of crystalline Si solar cells [9−12] , particularly the dominant ones in the market today, which absorb red light most efficiently. In this letter, the correlation between the PL emissions of Si nanoparticles dispersed in SiO 2 and the short-circuit current of crystalline Si solar cells was first studied under UV ligh...

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confidence: 58%

Solar cell performance improvement via photoluminescence conversion of Si nanoparticles

et al. 2012

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“…Therefore, the use of highly photoluminescent and surface-engineered Si-ncs represents an attractive option for the management of UV-photons and high photon fluxes through three different but closely linked mechanisms [10]. Firstly, Si-ncs absorption in the UV region prevents high energy photons reaching the polymeric active layer reducing UV-induced degradation; secondly, undesired high-energy photons are converted into useful lower energy ones via room temperature PL [11,12]. Thirdly, the PL of Si-ncs is expected to be enhanced under high intensity radiation [10] so that the blue-to-red photon conversion becomes even more efficient under high photon fluxes or concentrated light.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A silicon nanocrystal/polymer nanocomposite as a down-conversion layer in organic and hybrid solar cells

et al. 2015

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Silicon nanocrystal (Si-nc) down-conversion is demonstrated to enhance organic and hybrid organic/inorganic bulk heterojunction solar cells based on PTB7:[70]PCBM bulk heterojunction devices. Surfactant free surface-engineered Si-ncs can be integrated into the device architecture to be optically active and provide a means of effective down-conversion of blue photons (high energy photons below ∼450 nm) into red photons (above ∼680 nm) leading to 24% enhancement of the photocurrent under concentrated sunlight. We also demonstrate that the down-conversion effect under 1-sun is enhanced in the case of hybrid solar cells where engineered Si-ncs are also included in the active layer.

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“…To date, down-shifting and down-conversion have not led to significant improvements, and better systems need to be developed (Fix T. et al, 2015). Luminescence provides a good way to down-shift the photon (Švrček V. et al, 2004;van Sark W. G.J.H.M. et al, 2004).…”

Section: Spectral Budgetingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Nanoparticles as a Bottom-up Approach to Increase Solar Cell Efficiency

Vece

2019

KONA

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Nanostructures in solar cells are used both for the active layers and for light management techniques. Particularly thin-film solar cells will benefit strongly from such nanoscale approaches as the light absorption needs to be improved. Nanoparticles produced by wet chemical techniques, sometimes in the form of quantum dots, are currently used to fabricate thin-film solar cells for research purposes. Light management studies use nanostructures that are often created by lithographic methods but which are too expensive for an industrial realisation. In this review paper, the opportunities for using nanoparticles as a bottom-up approach for both the active layer and light management nanostructures is discussed. Since both the wet chemical method and lithographic techniques have considerable limitations, the use of gas aggregation cluster sources is proposed as a promising method to advance the use of bottom-up nanoparticles for solar cells. Plasmonics, Mie scattering, quantum dots and new materials are reviewed with respect to the nanoparticle potential. The increase of solar cell efficiency by using ultra-clean and crystalline nanoparticles which are produced with a vacuum-compatible technique at low temperatures should be very interesting for science and technology, ultimately leading to industrial products.

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Silicon nanocrystals as light converter for solar cells

Cited by 179 publications

References 16 publications

Solar cell performance improvement via photoluminescence conversion of Si nanoparticles

Solar cell performance improvement via photoluminescence conversion of Si nanoparticles

A silicon nanocrystal/polymer nanocomposite as a down-conversion layer in organic and hybrid solar cells

Using Nanoparticles as a Bottom-up Approach to Increase Solar Cell Efficiency

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