Formation of nanotextured surfaces on microtextured Si solar cells by metal-assisted chemical etching process.

We investigated a nanotexturization process on the microtextured surface of monocrystalline Si solar cells which utilized a metal assisted chemical etching process. P-type Si solar cell wafers were used for nanotexturing followed by saw damage removal and a microtexturing process. As the nanotexturing time was increased, green and red-orange photoluminescence spectra at wavelengths of 506, 507, and 637 nm were observed from the nanotextured cells, indicating that the quantum size effect caused the confinement of charge carriers in nanocrystalline silicon.

Nanotexturing process on microtextured surfaces of silicon solar cells by SF6/O2 reactive ion etching.

We investigated a nanotexturing process on the microtextured surface of single crystalline silicon solar cell by the reactive ion etching process in SF6/O2 mixed gas ambient. P-type Si wafer samples were prepared using a chemical wet etching process to address saw damage removal and achieve microtexturing. The microtextured wafers were further processed for nanotexturing by exposure to reactive ions within a circular tray of wafer carrier containing many small holes for uniform etching.

Nanocatalytic growth of Si nanowires from Ni silicate coated SiC nanoparticles on Si solar cell.

We investigated the nanocatalytic growth of Si nanowires on the microtextured surface of crystalline Si solar cell. 3C-SiC nanoparticles have been used as the base for formation of Ni silicate layer in a catalytic reaction with the Si melt under H2 atmosphere at an annealing temperature of 1100 degrees C. The 10-nm thick Ni film was deposited after the SiC nanoparticles were coated on the microtextured surface of the Si solar cell by electron-beam evaporation.