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Electrodeposition of crystalline silicon films from silicon dioxide for low-cost photovoltaic applications

Author

Listed:
  • Xingli Zou

    (The University of Texas at Austin
    Shanghai University)

  • Li Ji

    (The University of Texas at Austin
    The University of Texas at Austin
    Fudan University)

  • Jianbang Ge

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Donald R. Sadoway

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Edward T. Yu

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Allen J. Bard

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

Crystalline-silicon solar cells have dominated the photovoltaics market for the past several decades. One of the long standing challenges is the large contribution of silicon wafer cost to the overall module cost. Here, we demonstrate a simple process for making high-purity solar-grade silicon films directly from silicon dioxide via a one-step electrodeposition process in molten salt for possible photovoltaic applications. High-purity silicon films can be deposited with tunable film thickness and doping type by varying the electrodeposition conditions. These electrodeposited silicon films show about 40 to 50% of photocurrent density of a commercial silicon wafer by photoelectrochemical measurements and the highest power conversion efficiency is 3.1% as a solar cell. Compared to the conventional manufacturing process for solar grade silicon wafer production, this approach greatly reduces the capital cost and energy consumption, providing a promising strategy for low-cost silicon solar cells production.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingli Zou & Li Ji & Jianbang Ge & Donald R. Sadoway & Edward T. Yu & Allen J. Bard, 2019. "Electrodeposition of crystalline silicon films from silicon dioxide for low-cost photovoltaic applications," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13065-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13065-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Kaifa Du & Enlai Gao & Chunbo Zhang & Yongsong Ma & Peilin Wang & Rui Yu & Wenmiao Li & Kaiyuan Zheng & Xinhua Cheng & Diyong Tang & Bowen Deng & Huayi Yin & Dihua Wang, 2023. "An iron-base oxygen-evolution electrode for high-temperature electrolyzers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Wang, Xiaohui & Xu, Li & Ge, Shengbo & Foong, Shin Ying & Liew, Rock Keey & Fong Chong, William Woei & Verma, Meenakshi & Naushad, Mu. & Park, Young-Kwon & Lam, Su Shiung & Li, Qian & Huang, Runzhou, 2023. "Biomass-based carbon quantum dots for polycrystalline silicon solar cells with enhanced photovoltaic performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).

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