Optical analysis of Si-tapered nanowires/low band gap polymer hybrid solar cells

Sara Magdi; Mohamed A. Swillam

doi:10.1117/12.2253299

23 February 2017 Optical analysis of Si-tapered nanowires/low band gap polymer hybrid solar cells

Sara Magdi, Mohamed A. Swillam

Proceedings Volume 10099, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices VI; 100991D (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2253299
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Three dimensional optical simulations are performed to assess the design requirements for obtaining highly efficient tapered Si nanowires (TSiNWs)/polymer hybrid solar cells. To avoid the complex fabrication processes of Si p-n junctions, the TSiNWs are coated with a conductive polymer forming a large junction area between both materials and making the charge separation more efficient. The addition of PEDOT:PSS has been reported previously where the absorption occur in the Si only. P3HT:PCBM has been also used on top of Si nanostructures to enhance the absorption. However, the maximum absorption of P3HT and Si are in the same range resulting in competence between the absorption of each material. Thus, thick Si substrates are still needed to achieve decent absorption in these devices. We report a broadband absorption spanning the whole visible and near infra-red range of the solar spectrum with only 5 Microns TSiNWs coated with a low band gap polymer. The tapered structure provides efficient light trapping for the incident light enhancing the absorption in the short wavelengths. The addition of the low band gap polymer (pBBTDPP2:PCBM) significantly enhanced the absorption at long wavelengths (700-900nm). Thus, broadband absorption is attained without the need of thick Si substrates. Full 3D optical simulations were performed to optimize the polymer thickness and compare between the enhancements in absorption for different polymers.

Citation Download Citation

Sara Magdi and Mohamed A. Swillam "Optical analysis of Si-tapered nanowires/low band gap polymer hybrid solar cells", Proc. SPIE 10099, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices VI, 100991D (23 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2253299

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