Comparative analysis of anti-reflection coatings on solar PV cells through TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

PurposePhoton absorbance and reflectance are the most important parameters for the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Bandgap energy plays a vital role in photon absorption. That is, the photons with energy greater than band gap energy are absorbed. Also, the refractive index of semiconductors is responsible for photon reflection, as the surface with the highest refractive index will reflect more photons than a surface with have a low refractive index. The purpose of this paper is to improvise the absorbance and reduce the reflectance of photons on the front surface of solar cells.Design/methodology/approachPhoton reflection is results in reduction in electron-hole pair generation due to the high refractive index of semiconductive materials. To overcome this problem, an Anti-reflection (AR) coating of TiO2 and SiO2 is undertaken on solar cells through the Sol-spin coating method. Finally, the effectiveness of the Anti-Reflection coating is scrutinized through UV Vis-Spectroscopy, which provides details regarding reflectance, absorbance and bandgap energy characteristics.FindingsUV–visible spectroscopy was used to measure the responses from the samples. The samples responded to the ultraviolet and visible range of electromagnetic radiation perfectly. UV spectroscopy was done before and after the antireflection coating of TiO2 and SiO2 over the solar cell to find their corresponding extreme reflectance and absorbance values. The effects of TiO2 and SiO2 were evaluated from the results.Originality/valueIn this research work, the authors have done anti-reflection coating over solar cells with nanoparticles derived from sol-gel process. Absorbance of photons observed through diffuse reflection method.