Porous Si/eumelanin hybrids are a novel class of organic–inorganic hybrid materials that hold considerable promise for photovoltaic applications. Current progress toward device setup is, however, hindered by photocurrent stability issues, which require a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying the buildup and consolidation of the eumelanin–silicon interface. Herein we report an integrated experimental and computational study aimed at probing interface stability via surface modification and eumelanin manipulation, and at modeling the organic–inorganic interface via formation of a 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) tetramer and its adhesion to silicon. The results indicated that mild silicon oxidation increases photocurrent stability via enhancement of the DHI–surface interaction, and that higher oxidation states in DHI oligomers create more favorable conditions for the efficient adhesion of growing eumelanin.
This article presents a study on Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching (MACE) of silicon in HF-H 2 O 2 using silver nanoparticles as catalysts. Our aim is a better understanding of the process to elaborate new 3D submicrometric surface structures useful for light management. We investigated MACE over the whole range of silicon doping, i.e., p ++ , p + , p, p − , n, n + , and n ++. We discovered that, instead of the well-defined and straight mesopores obtained in p and n-type silicon, in p ++ and n ++ silicon MACE leads to the formation of cone-shaped macropores filled with porous silicon. We account for the transition between these two pore-formation regimes (straight and cone-shaped pores) by modeling (at equilibrium and under polarization) the Ag/Si/electrolyte (HF) system. The model simulates the system as two nanodiodes in series. We show that delocalized MACE is explained by a large tunnel current contribution for the p-Si/Ag and n-Si/HF diodes under reverse polarization, which increases with the doping level and when the size of the nanocontacts (Ag, HF) decreases. By analogy with the results obtained on heavily doped silicon, we finally present a method to form size-controlled cone-shaped macropores in p silicon with silver nanoparticles. This shape, instead of the usual straight mesopores, is obtained by applying an external anodic polarization during MACE. Two methods are shown to be effective for the control of the macropore cone angle: one by adjusting the potential applied during MACE, the other by changing the H 2 O 2 concentration. Under appropriate etching conditions, the obtained macropores exhibit optical properties (reflectivity ∼3 %) similar to that of black silicon.
The
organic/inorganic interface in thin nanosized porous structures
has a key role in determining the final properties of the composite
materials. By use of the porous silicon/eumelanin hybrids as a case
study, the role of this interface was investigated by experimental
and computational methods. Our results show that an increased polymer
density close to the hybrid interface strongly modifies the diffusion
of the chemical species within the polymer molecule, affecting then
the oxidation level of the pores’ inner Si surface. We observed
a greater stability induced by increased pore diameter, a behavior
that with computational and chemical arguments we attributed to a
modified diffusion of the hydrogen peroxide toward the Si/eumelanin
interface. Our results show that the overall behavior of a polymer
when inserted in a tiny nanoscale structure must be taken into account
for a correct understanding and control of the hybrids properties
and that the formation of the interface alone may not be sufficient.
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