Nanosecond pulsed laser ablated sub-10 nm silicon nanoparticles for improving photovoltaic conversion efficiency of commercial solar cells
Date
2017Source Title
Journal of Optics (United Kingdom)
Print ISSN
2040-8978
Electronic ISSN
2040-8986
Publisher
Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
Volume
19
Issue
10
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
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313
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Abstract
In this paper, we demonstrate the enhancement of photovoltaic (PV) solar cell efficiency using luminescent silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs). Sub-10 nm Si-NPs are synthesized via pulsed laser ablation technique. These ultra-small Si nanoparticles exhibit photoluminescence (PL) character tics at 425 and 517 nm upon excitation by ultra-violet (UV) light. Therefore, they can act as secondary light sources that convert high energetic photons to ones at visible range. This down-shifting property can be a promising approach to enhance PV performance of the solar cell, regardless of its type. As proof-of-concept, polycrystalline commercial solar cells with an efficiency of ca 10% are coated with these luminescent Si-NPs. The nanoparticle-decorated solar cells exhibit up to 1.64% increase in the external quantum efficiency with respect to the uncoated reference cells. According to spectral photo-responsivity characterizations, the efficiency enhancement is stronger in wavelengths below 550 nm. As expected, this is attributed to down-shifting via Si-NPs, which is verified by their PL characteristics. The results presented here can serve as a beacon for future performance enhanced devices in a wide range of applications based on Si-NPs including PVs and LED applications.
Keywords
Efficiency enhancementLaser ablation
Silicon nanoparticle
Solar cell
Ablation
Efficiency
Image enhancement
Laser ablation
Light
Light emitting diodes
Light sources
Luminescence
Nanoparticles
Pulsed lasers
Silicon
Solar cells
Solar power generation
Ultrafast lasers
Efficiency enhancement
External quantum efficiency
Future performance
Nanosecond pulsed laser
Photoresponsivity
Photovoltaic conversion
Silicon nanoparticles
Solar cell efficiencies
Silicon solar cells
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/11693/37166Published Version (Please cite this version)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/aa84ddCollections
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