Molecular monolayers for electrical passivation and functionalization of silicon-based solar energy devices

Janneke Veerbeek, Nienke J. Firet, Wouter Vijselaar, R. Elbersen, Han Gardeniers, Jurriaan Huskens*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
65 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Silicon-based solar fuel devices require passivation for optimal performance yet at the same time need functionalization with (photo)catalysts for efficient solar fuel production. Here, we use molecular monolayers to enable electrical passivation and simultaneous functionalization of silicon-based solar cells. Organic monolayers were coupled to silicon surfaces by hydrosilylation in order to avoid an insulating silicon oxide layer at the surface. Monolayers of 1-tetradecyne were shown to passivate silicon micropillar-based solar cells with radial junctions, by which the efficiency increased from 8.7% to 9.9% for n+/p junctions and from 7.8% to 8.8% for p+/n junctions. This electrical passivation of the surface, most likely by removal of dangling bonds, is reflected in a higher shunt resistance in the J-V measurements. Monolayers of 1,8-nonadiyne were still reactive for click chemistry with a model catalyst, thus enabling simultaneous passivation and future catalyst coupling.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)413-421
Number of pages9
JournalACS applied materials & interfaces
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Electrical passivation
  • Hydrosilylation
  • Organic monolayers
  • Shunt resistance
  • Silicon solar cells
  • 2023 OA procedure

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