Production and characterisation of nanoparticulate silicon photovoltaic devices

A first approach in fabricating electronically functional nanoparticulate silicon solar cells, by using low cost screen printing on paper substrates, has been developed. The semiconductor materials used consisted of n- and p-type silicon nanoparticles produced by means of high energy mechanical milling, as well as commercially sourced nanophase intrinsic silicon powder. Results from microscopy revealed that the nanoparticles had formed clusters that were capable of transporting charge through the device. Results from the electrical characterisation show that the printed devices exhibit electrical properties characteristic of silicon PV devices, confirming that the experimental process followed resulted in the successful production of a functional silicon solar cell. This thesis outlines the particle production process, ink formulation technique, and the device fabrication process. Results from the physical characterisation of the nanopowders and printed layers using optical and scanning electron microscopy, as well as an analysis of the electrical performance of the printed devices are also presented.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Physics

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Solana, Oluwole David

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Britton, David T

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9024

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9024