Nanorainforest solar cells based on multi-junction hierarchical p-Si/n-CdS/n-ZnO nanoheterostructures

Abstract

Solar cells based on one-dimensional nanostructures have recently emerged as one of the most promising candidates to achieve high-efficiency solar energy conversion due to their reduced optical reflection, enhanced light absorption, and enhanced carrier collection. In nature, the rainforest, consisting of several stereo layers of vegetation, is the highest solar-energy-using ecosystem. Herein, we gave an imitation of the rainforest configuration in nanostructure-based solar cell design. Novel multi-layer nanorainforest solar cells based on p-Si nanopillar array/n-CdS nanoparticles/n-ZnO nanowire array heterostructures were achieved via a highly accessible, reproducible and controllable fabrication process. By choosing materials with appropriate bandgaps, an efficient light absorption and enhanced light harvesting were achieved due to the wide range of the solar spectrum covered. Si nanopillar arrays were introduced as direct conduction pathways for photon-generated charges’ efficient collection and transport. The unique strategy using PMMA as a void-filling material to obtain a continuous, uniform and low resistance front electrode has significantly improved the overall light conversion efficiency by two orders of magnitude. These results demonstrate that nanorainforest solar cells, along with wafer-scale, low-cost and easily controlled processing, open up substantial opportunities for nanostructure photovoltaic devices.