Simple down conversion nano-crystal coatings for enhancing Silicon-solar cells efficiency

Avner Neubauer; Shira Yochelis; Gur Mittelman; Ido Eisenberg; Yossi Paltiel; Avner Neubauer; Shira Yochelis; Gur Mittelman; Ido Eisenberg; Yossi Paltiel

doi:10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1256

AIMS Materials Science

2016, Volume 3, Issue 3: 1256-1265. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1256

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Simple down conversion nano-crystal coatings for enhancing Silicon-solar cells efficiency

1.
Applied Physics Department and the Center for Nano-Science and Nano-Technology, the HebrewUniversity of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904 Israel
2.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel

Received: 22 May 2016 Accepted: 22 August 2016 Published: 06 September 2016

Utilizing self-assembled nano-structured coatings on top of existing solar cells has thepotential to increase the total quantum efficiency of the cell using a simple and cheap process. In ourwork we have exploited the controlled absorption of nano-crystal with different band gaps to realizedown conversion artificial antennas that self-assembled on the device surface. The UV sun light isconverted to the visible light enhancing the solar cell performance in two complementary routes; a.protecting the solar cell and coatings from the UV illumination and therefore reducing the UVradiation damage. b. enhancing the total external quantum efficiency of the cell by one percent. Thisis achieved using a simple cheap process that can be adjusted to many different solar cells.
- nano-crystals,
- quantum efficiency,
- UV light,
- down-conversion
Citation: Avner Neubauer, Shira Yochelis, Gur Mittelman, Ido Eisenberg, Yossi Paltiel. Simple down conversion nano-crystal coatings for enhancing Silicon-solar cells efficiency[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2016, 3(3): 1256-1265. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1256

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Abstract

Utilizing self-assembled nano-structured coatings on top of existing solar cells has thepotential to increase the total quantum efficiency of the cell using a simple and cheap process. In ourwork we have exploited the controlled absorption of nano-crystal with different band gaps to realizedown conversion artificial antennas that self-assembled on the device surface. The UV sun light isconverted to the visible light enhancing the solar cell performance in two complementary routes; a.protecting the solar cell and coatings from the UV illumination and therefore reducing the UVradiation damage. b. enhancing the total external quantum efficiency of the cell by one percent. Thisis achieved using a simple cheap process that can be adjusted to many different solar cells.

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