Ultra-fast two-step anodization method is developed for obtaining ordered nano-pores on aluminium (Al) foil. First anodization was carried out for 10 min, followed by 3 min of second anodization at high voltage (150 V) compared to previous reports of anodization times of 12 h (40-60 V). The pore dimensions on anodized alumina are 180 nm for pore diameter and 130 nm for inter-pore distance. It was evident that by increasing the anodization voltage to 150 V, the diameter of the pores formed was above 150 nm. The electrolyte and its temperature affect the shape and size of the pore formation. At lower anodization temperature, controlled pore formation was observed. The anodized samples were characterized using the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to determine the pore diameter and inter-pore distance. Using UV-Visible spectroscopy, the reflectance spectra of anodized samples were measured. The alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) peaks were identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The x-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the Al 2p peak at 73.1 eV along with the oxygen O 1s at 530.9 eV and carbon traces C 1s at 283.6 eV.
In this study we propose a new design to place the contacts for both p-type and n-type semiconductors at the bottom of solar cell to increase photons entering the absorber layer. The fabricated device contains periodic nanopillars of ∼243 nm radius and centre to centre pillar distance of ∼550 nm. In addition to the fabrication, thin films of n-CdS and p-CdTe have been characterised for their material properties at different annealing temperatures in this study. The X-ray diffraction pattern for CdTe and CdS revealed that the growth is preferentially along the (111) plane with a cubic zinc blend and cubic structure, respectively. Optimum absorption of the solar spectrum for a single junction solar cell occurs with the optical band gap of 2.36 eV for CdS and 1.45 eV for CdTe. The significance of the work creates a new beginning for the fabrication of textured thin film photovoltaic cell.
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