Above-11%-efficiency organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells with omnidirectional harvesting characteristics by employing hierarchical photon-trapping structures.

Wei, Wan-Rou; Tsai, Meng-Lin; Ho, Shu-Te; Tai, Shih-Hsiang; Ho, Cherng-Rong; Tsai, Shin-Hung; Liu, Chee-Wee; Chung, Ren-Jei et al. · Nano Lett · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Hierarchical structures consisting of micropyramids and nanowires are used in Si/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells to achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 11.48% with excellent omnidirectionality. The structure provides a combined concepts of superior light trapping ability, significant increase of p-n junction areas, and short carrier diffusion distance, improving the photovoltaic characteristics including short-circuit current density, fill factor, and PCE. The enhancement of power generation is up to 253.8% at high incident angles, showing the outstanding omnidirectional operation ability of hybrid cells with hierarchical Si surfaces. This properly designed hierarchical-structured device paves a promising way for developing low-cost, high-efficiency, and omnidirectional solar applications in the future.