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Scalable production of silicon nanocone solar cells in integrated plasma photovoltaic nanofabrication cluster
Citation
Huang, S., Lim, J. W. M., Chan, C. S., Xu, S., Wei, D., Guo, Y., Xu, L., & Ostrikov, K. K. (2016). Scalable production of silicon nanocone solar cells in integrated plasma photovoltaic nanofabrication cluster. Plasma Processes and Polymers, 13(1), 161-169. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201500086
Author
Huang, Shiyong
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Lim, Mark Jian Wei
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Chan, Chia Sern
•
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Wei, Deyuan
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Guo, Yingnan
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Xu, Luxiang
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Ostrikov, Kostya (Ken)
Abstract
Surface texturing is a method widely adopted by industries to reduce the reflective losses in photovoltaic (PV) cells. In this work, a multi-chambered Integrated Plasma Photovoltaic Nanofabrication Cluster facility was used to produce nanocone surface textured polycrystalline (PX) PV cells. An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharge of O2 and SF6 was used to remove damage on PX p-type silicon wafers. Following that, a mixture of H2 and Ar plasma was used to texture an anti-reflecting array of silicon nanocones on the surface, while simultaneously forming a p-n junction. A plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) process was utilized using SiH4, CO2, N2 and H2 precursors for front and back surface passivation for growth of SiNx:H and SiOxH thin films. Aluminium electrodes were sputtered on using an RF magnetron sputtering facility to provide the contacts for the PV cell. Scanning electron microscopy of textured sample surfaces revealed uniform, well defined, high aspect ratio nanocones. The absorption spectra of the resulting surface show dramatic reductions in the reflectance of the wafers, and external quantum efficiency measurements show improved spectral response for the 300 nm – 1100 nm region. The resulting cells showed promising photovoltaic responses, with short circuit-currents of 36 mA/cm2, open circuit voltages of 560 mV, fill factors reaching 80% and conversion efficiencies of up to 14.8%. The feedstock gases utilized in this entire process were mostly environmentally friendly, and the single plasma based processing cluster eliminated the need for excessive waste generated from chemicals that would be otherwise found in commercial production lines. This work shows exciting potential in the pursuit of fabricating low cost, environmentally friendly and highly efficient PV modules to address the problems posed by the global energy crisis.
Date Issued
2016
Publisher
Wiley
Journal
Plasma Processes and Polymers