Large-area silicon nanowires from silicon monoxide for solar cell applications.
Large-area upstanding silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were synthesized by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) using silicon monoxide (SiO) powder as Si source under high vacuum (1.2 x 10(-5) Torr). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were employed as catalyst, which were formed on Si substrate by in-situ reduction of gold chloride (AuCl3). The size and distribution of the Au nanoparticles can be easily controlled through chemical reaction conditions. Consequently, the diameter, length and density of SiNWs could be varied in certain range. The SiNWs obtained are single crystalline with growth directions predominantly along [01-1]. Silicon nanowires in large-scale and diameter less than 10 nm can be grown on different Si substrates with this method. Organic inorganic hybrid solar cells based on SiNWs arrays have been demonstrated.
Department of Biology and Chemistry and Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Ming-Liang
ML
Zhang
Iram
I
Mahmood
Xia
X
Fan
Gang
G
Xu
Ning-Bew
NB
Wong