Plasmonic nano-Ag layers in TCO and Si nanosponge for photovoltaic applications


Plasmonic nano-Ag layers in TCO and Si nanosponge for photovoltaic applications

Vinnichenko, M.; Liedke, B.; Heinig, K.-H.; Gulseren, O.; Friedrich, D.; Mücklich, A.; Schmidt, B.; Akguc, G. B.; Aydinli, A.

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have the potential of increasing efficiency of thin film solar cells substantially due to plasmonic effects. Here, we consider two different approaches of Ag NPs embedding into: (i) transparent conductive oxide (TCO) at the rear side of thin-film PV cells to induce plasmonic scattering of red light at high angles (in-plane direction) in order to improve the light trapping in the absorber layer; and (ii) absorber layer to increase carrier generation due to plasmonic field enhancement.
For the approach (i), a thin Ag layer is sandwiched between two ZnO:Al films with all films grown by magnetron sputter deposition. Subsequently, by a thermal treatment or using high growth temperatures this Ag film is transformed into an Ag NP layer via spinodal dewetting. The formation of Ag NPs was investigated experimentally and by atomistic simulations. The electrical and optical properties of such composites were also studied.
For the approach (ii) Ag layer can be sandwiched between SiO layers grown by PVD and then thermally treated to form novel absorber material consisting of Si nanowire network in SiO2 and Ag NPs. Large-scale atomistic simulations predict formation of Ag/Si core-shell NPs isolated by SiO2. This prevents direct electrical contact of Ag NPs with percolated Si network, thus avoiding charge carriers losses. The experimental prove of this prediction is in progress.

Keywords: Transparent conductive oxides; plasmonic effects

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Publ.-Id: 17145