Wiebke Riedel

Hybrid solar cells with ZnO-nanorods and dry processed small molecule absorber

We demonstrate hybrid solar cells with ZnO-nanorods (ZnO-NRs) prepared by a low temperature electrochemical method and small molecule organic absorber processed by dry organic vapor phase deposition. A homogeneous coverage of ZnO-NRs by the blend absorber consisting of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as donor and of fullerene C60 as acceptor is best realized when a thin C60 layer is first inserted at the ZnO-NR/ZnPc:C60 interface. ZnO-NR/C60/ZnPc:C60/MoO3/Ag solar cell devices with efficiencies of 2.8% under an illumination of 100 mW/cm2 at 25 °C are demonstrated.

Zinc oxide films grown by galvanic deposition from 99% metals basis zinc nitrate electrolyte

The use of relatively low purity zinc nitrate for electrochemical deposition of compact ZnO films is attractive for large scale production because of the cost saving potential. ZnO films were grown on SnO2:F and magnetron sputtered ZnO:Al templates using a three electrode potentiostatic system in galvanic mode. The electrolyte consisted of a 0.1 M zinc nitrate solution (either 99.998% or 99% purity) and 1 mM aluminium nitrate for extrinsic doping, when required. Moderate deposition rates of up to 0.9 nm s−1 were achieved on ZnO:Al templates with lower rates of up to 0.5 nm s−1 on SnO2:F templates. Observation of SEM images of the films revealed a wall-like morphology whose lateral thickness (parallel to the substrate) reduced as aluminium was added to the system either in the electrolyte or from the substrate. However, pre-deposition activation of the template by applying a negative voltage (approximately −2 V) allowed the growth of compact films even for the low purity electrolyte. The optical band gap energy of intrinsically doped films was lower than that of the Al doped films. The composite electrical conductivity of all the films studied, as inferred from sheet resistance and Hall effect measurements of the ZnO/template stacks was much less than that of the uncoated templates. A strong E2 (high) mode at around 437 cm−1 was visible in the Raman spectra for most films confirming the formation of ZnO. However, both the Raman modes and XRD reflections associated with wurtzite ZnO diminished for the Al doped films indicating a high level of mainly oxygen related defects. Based on these data, further studies are underway to improve the doping efficiency of aluminium, the crystalline structure and thus the conductivity of such films.

Bifacial Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells with submicron absorber thickness: back-contact passivation and light management

For bifacial Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells with submicron absorber thickness, an Al₂O₃-layer deposited by a simple, self-organized spray-pyrolysis process onto the transparent SnO₂:F back-contact is used to increase open circuit voltage and thereby increase power conversion efficiency, especially for rear-illumination, indicating reduced charge carrier back-contact recombination. On non-passivated SnO₂:F, a thin (10nm) Mo-layer improved the electrical back-contact properties, while on Al₂O₃-passivated SnO₂:F, the solar cell performance was higher without Mo-modification. However, even with Mo-modification, the solar cell performance increased for Al₂O₃-passivated compared to non-passivated back-contacts demonstrating the benefit of the Al₂O₃-layer for bifacial solar cells with submicron Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ absorber layers.

Dielectric Nanorod Scattering and its Influence on Material Interfaces

This work elaborates on the high scattering which dielectric nanorods exhibit and how it can be exploited to control light propagation across material interfaces. A detailed overview of how dielectric nanorods interact with light through a combination of dipolar scattering and leaky modes is performed via outward power flux calculations. We establish and account for design parameters that best result in light magnification owing to resonant behavior of nanorods. Impact of material parameters on scattering and their dispersion have been calculated to establish that low loss dielectric oxides like ZnO when nanostructured show excellent antenna like resonances which can be used to control light coupling and propagation. Interfacial scattering calculations demonstrate the high forward directivity of nanorods for various dielectric interfaces. A systematic analysis for different configurations of single and periodic nanorods on air dielectric interface emphasizes the light coupling tendencies exhibited by nanorods to and from a dielectric. Spatial characteristics of the localized field enhancement of the nanorod array on an air dielectric interface show focusing attributes of the nanorod array. We give a detailed account to tailor and selectively increase light propagation across an interface with good spectral and spatial control.

Nano-optical concept design for light management

Efficient light management in optoelectronic devices requires nanosystems where high optical qualities coincide with suitable device integration. The requirement of chemical and electrical passivation for integrating nanostrutures in e.g. thin film solar cells points towards the use of insulating and stable dielectric material, which however has to provide high scattering and near-fields as well. We investigate metal@dielectric core-shell nanoparticles and dielectric nanorods. Whereas core-shell nanoparticles can be simulated using Mie theory, nanorods of finite length are studied with the finite element method. We reveal that a metallic core within a thin dielectric shell can help to enhance scattering and near-field cross sections compared to a bare dielectric nanoparticle of the same radius. A dielectric nanorod has the benefit over a dielectric nanosphere in that it can generate much higher scattering cross sections and also give rise to a high near-field enhancement along its whole length. Electrical benefits of e.g. Ag@oxide nanoparticles in thin-film solar cells and ZnO nanorods in hybrid devices lie in reduction of recombination centers or close contact of the nanorod material with the surrounding organics, respectively. The optical benefit of dielectric shell material and elongated dielectric nanostructures is highlighted in this paper.