Metal nanoparticle-enhanced photocurrent in GaAs photovoltaic structures with microtextured interfaces

Abstract

The photocurrent enhancement effect caused by Au and Ag nanoparticles for GaAs-based photovoltaic structures of surface barrier or p-n junction type with microtextured interfaces has been investigated in dependence on the conditions of nanoparticles deposition and, respectively, on the shape and local dielectric environment of obtained nanoparticle arrays. Three nanoparticle deposition methods have been checked: 1) photoinduced chemical deposition of Au from aqueous AuCl3 solution forming nanowires on the ridges of quasigrating-type surface microrelief, 2) deposition of Ag nanoparticles from colloidal suspension on the GaAs substrate covered with poly(vinylpyridine), and 3) drop and dry deposition of Au/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles from aqueous colloid solution. The comprehensive investigation of optical reflectance, photoelectric, and electrical characteristics of the fabricated barrier structures has shown the highest photovoltaic parameters for surface microrelief of quasigrating-type and electroless Au nanoparticle deposition. The analysis of characteristics obtained allowed us also to define the mechanisms of the total photocurrent enhancement.

Self-organized Au-GaAs metal-semiconductor micro- and nanostructures for applications in plasmonic photovoltaics

“…Combination of surface relief with metal elements (for instant, nanoparticles (NPs)) can stimulate transfer of light energy into excitation of surface plasmons (SP) in NP or surface plasmonpolariton (SPP) in their periodical arrays (nanowires (NWs) on the top of the grooves) for efficient light trapping and increase of absorption in extremely thin layers (Fig. 1) [5,6].…”

Self-Organized Structuring of the Surface of a Metal–Semiconductor Composite by Femtosecond Laser Processing

“…The relief rear surface of a semiconductor and the metal back contact can also scatter transmitted light and support SPPs on that interface. The patterning of the semiconductor surface can be performed by different methods, for example, by the anisotropic chemical etching or laser ablation [14][15][16][17][18]. The relief is formed as a result of the self-organization, and its morphology depends on the treatment conditions.…”

Synthesis and Study of Structure Silver Nanoparticles by Polyethyleneglycol - Gum Arabic Polymers

“…Generally, in the studies different Ag nanocomposites were obtained by using natural and synthetic including polyacrylamide [25], heparin [26], chitosan [27], polyacryl acid [28], polyvinylpyridine [29], polyvinyl alcohol [30], arabinogalactan [31], polyurethane [32] type polymers as a stabilizing agent. As it is shown "green synthesis" of metal nanoparticles is one of the widely used methods in this field.…”