title: a-Si:H/SiNW shell/core for SiNW solar cell applications.
abstract: Vertically aligned silicon nanowires have been synthesized by the chemical etching of silicon wafers. The influence of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layer (shell) on top of a silicon nanowire (SiNW) solar cell has been investigated. The optical properties of a-Si:H/SiNWs and SiNWs are examined in terms of optical reflection and absorption properties. In the presence of the a-Si:H shell, 5.2% reflection ratio in the spectral range (250 to 1,000 nm) is achieved with a superior absorption property with an average over 87% of the incident light. In addition, the characteristics of the solar cell have been significantly improved, which exhibits higher open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and efficiency by more than 15%, 12%, and 37%, respectively, compared with planar SiNW solar cells. Based on the current-voltage measurements and morphology results, we show that the a-Si:H shell can passivate the defects generated by wet etching processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia. emansad12@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eman Sad
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ashour
authors.forename: Mohamad Yusof Bin
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.forename: Mohd Hafidz
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ruslan
authors.forename: Kamaruzzaman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sopian