Abstract
AbstractHybrid heterojunction solar cells based on silicon and single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films have a simple structure and their manufacture employ simple low‐temperature processes. Moreover, their progress has been rapid during the last decade, wherein the efficiency of heterojunction solar cells combining hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) and SWCNTs thin film has increased from 0.03% to 8.80%. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the state‐of‐the‐art on SWCNTs/a‐Si:H heterojunction solar cells. In addition to a comprehensive technology review, important special features such as adhesion of SWCNT film to a‐Si:H, the interface between SWCNT and a‐Si:H, and their influence on the performance of the heterojunctions are included. Future paths for improving the performance of such solar cells are also suggested. Finally, key challenges and trends for further research and development of SWCNTs/amorphous silicon heterojunction solar cells are discussed.This article is categorized under: Photovoltaics > Science and Materials
Highlights
Hybrid heterojunction solar cells based on silicon and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films have a simple structure and their manufacture employ simple low-temperature processes
Their progress has been rapid during the last decade, wherein the efficiency of heterojunction solar cells combining hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and SWCNTs thin film has increased from 0.03% to 8.80%
To solve the problems mentioned in the previous section, we proposed a rational design of a novel p-type transparent conductor developed using a multicomponent composite that combines the superior properties of SWCNTs with PEDOT:PSS, MoO3 and SWCNT fibers into a single composite (Figure 6a)
Summary
The use of carbon nanotubes in thin film amorphous silicon has been of great interest for researchers as light trapping structures, antireflective coatings, transparent electrodes, and p-type window layer contacting a-Si:H to form heterojunction They measured the external quantum efficiency up to 35% at a wavelength of about 460 nm (Figure 2d) and indicated that for lower density SWCNT/a-Si:H heterojunction, nanotubes dominate the photocurrent generation, separation, and transport mechanism thereby splitting the Copyright (2016) IOP Publishing Ltd the first use of aerosol CVD synthesized SWCNT thin films as p-layer and transparent electrodes by a unique technique of dry-transfer in a-Si:H solar cells as in Figure 3g (Funde et al, 2016).
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