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Tuning the Optoelectronic Properties of ZnO:Al by Addition of Silica for Light Trapping in High‐Efficiency Crystalline Si Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Dabirian Ali,
Martin de Nicolas Silvia,
Niesen Bjoern,
HesslerWyser Aïcha,
De Wolf Stefaan,
MoralesMasis Monica,
Ballif Christophe
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201500462
Subject(s) - materials science , trapping , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , ecology , biology
Highly transparent electrodes with a well‐tuned refractive index are essential for a wide range of optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes and solar cells. Here, it is shown that the transparency of ZnO:Al can be improved and its refractive index can be reduced simultaneously by the addition of SiO 2 into the layer. It is found that for low SiO 2 concentrations, Si quenches oxygen vacancies and improves the layer transparency. At higher SiO 2 concentrations a highly transparent amorphous compound of Zn x Si y O:Al forms, with a refractive index that scales down with the relative Si/Zn ratio. These layers are tested in Si heterojunction solar cells by inserting them between Si and the metallic rear contact of such devices. A consistent improvement is found in the cell short‐circuit current density and external quantum efficiency with increasing Si incorporation. Our findings establish a general strategy to tune the optical properties of transparent conductive oxides for improved light management in solar cells.