Article Title

Challenges and prospects of nanopillar-based solar cells

Authors

Zhiyong Fan, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Daniel J. Ruebusch, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Asghar A. Rathore, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Rehan Kapadia, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Onur Ergen, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Paul W. Leu, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Ali Javey, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Keywords

Nanopillar-based photovoltaics, solar cells, nanowires (NWs)

Abstract

Materials and device architecture innovations are essential for further enhancing the performance of solar cells while potentially enabling their large-scale integration as a viable source of alternative energy. In this regard, tremendous research has been devoted in recent years with continuous progress in the fi eld. In this article, we review the recent advancements in nanopillar-based photovoltaics while discussing the future challenges and prospects. Nanopillar arrays provide unique advantages over thin fi lms in the areas of optical properties and carrier collection, arising from their three-dimensional geometry. The choice of the material system, however, is essential in order to gain the advantage of the large surface/interface area associated with nanopillars with the constraints different from those of the thin fi lm devices.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-009-9091-y

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Zhiyong Fan,Daniel J. Ruebusch,Asghar A. Rathore,Rehan Kapadia,Onur Ergen,Paul W. Leu,Ali Javey, Challenges and prospects of nanopillar-based solar cells. NanoRes.2009, 2: 829-843