Nanosecond pulsed laser ablated sub-10nm silicon nanoparticles for improving photovoltaic conversion efficiency of commercial solar cells


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Rasouli H. R., Ghobadi A., Ghobadi T. G. U., ATEŞ H., Topalli K., Okyay A. K.

JOURNAL OF OPTICS, cilt.19, sa.10, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 10
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1088/2040-8986/aa84dd
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF OPTICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: silicon nanoparticle, laser ablation, solar cell, efficiency enhancement, QUANTUM DOTS, POROUS SILICON, LIGHT, NANOCRYSTALS, LIQUID, LUMINESCENCE, REDUCTION, EMISSION
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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 downshifting 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 downshifting 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.