A light-trapping strategy for nanocrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells using three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures.

Nanotechnology

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. Global Frontier Center for Multiscale Energy System, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.

Published: February 2016

AI Article Synopsis

  • Researchers developed a three-dimensional assembly of nanoparticles to enhance light harvesting in nanocrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells.
  • The unique structuring generates multiple plasmon resonances, boosting light scattering and absorption over a broad spectrum (350-1100 nm).
  • This innovation resulted in significant efficiency gains, with a 22% increase compared to flat cells and 11% compared to cells with nanoparticle clusters, supported by simulations confirming these enhancements are due to the plasmon resonances.

Article Abstract

We report three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures inducing multiple plasmon resonances for broadband light harvesting in nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film solar cells. A three-dimensional multiscale (3DM) assembly of nanoparticles generated using a multi-pin spark discharge method has been accomplished over a large area under atmospheric conditions via ion-assisted aerosol lithography. The multiscale features of the sophisticated 3DM structures exhibit surface plasmon resonances at multiple frequencies, which increase light scattering and absorption efficiency over a wide spectral range from 350-1100 nm. The multiple plasmon resonances, together with the antireflection functionality arising from the conformally deposited top surface of the 3D solar cell, lead to a 22% and an 11% improvement in power conversion efficiency of the nc-Si:H thin-film solar cells compared to flat cells and cells employing nanoparticle clusters, respectively. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were also carried out to confirm that the improved device performance mainly originates from the multiple plasmon resonances generated from three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/27/5/055403DOI Listing

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