Abstract
The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-wall carbon nanotube (SCNT)/n-type crystalline silicon heterojunction photovoltaic devices is significantly improved by Au doping. It is found that the overall PCE was significantly increased to threefold. The efficiency enhancement of photovoltaic devices is mainly the improved electrical conductivity of SCNT by increasing the carrier concentration and the enhancing the absorbance of active layers by Au nanoparticles. The Au doping can lead to an increase of the open circuit voltage through adjusting the Fermi level of SCNT and then enhancing the built-in potential in the SCNT/n-Si junction. This fabrication is easy, cost-effective, and easily scaled up, which demonstrates that such Au-doped SCNT/Si cells possess promising potential in energy harvesting application.
Highlights
Photovoltaic devices based on nanomaterials may be one kind of next-generation solar cells due to their potential tendency of high efficiency and low cost [1]
It was found that p-type doping due to Au could shift down the Fermi level and enhanced the work function of single-wall carbon nanotube (SCNT) so that the open circuit voltage was increased
Au nanoparticles with a size in the range of 20–80 nm cover on the surface of the SCNT, as seen in field emission scanning electronic microscope (FESEM) and transmission electronic microscope (TEM) images in Figure 2c and Figure 2d
Summary
Photovoltaic devices based on nanomaterials may be one kind of next-generation solar cells due to their potential tendency of high efficiency and low cost [1]. We prepared a SCNT film on a n-Si substrate by an electrophoretic method, and doping the SCNT by a simple method in a HAuCl4·3H2O solution at room temperature [21,22], to improve the PCE as the result of improved conductivity and increased density of carriers. In this experiment, it was found that p-type doping due to Au could shift down the Fermi level and enhanced the work function of SCNT so that the open circuit voltage was increased. It was found that the conversion efficiency of the Au-doped SCNT cells was significantly increased compared with that of pristine SCNT/n-Si cells
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