Understanding InP Nanowire Array Solar Cell Performance by Nanoprobe-Enabled Single Nanowire Measurements.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• III-V nanowire solar cells offer cost and design advantages over thin films.
• Advancements in nanowire solar cell performance necessitate improved characterization techniques.
• Understanding the link between growth, processing, and performance is crucial for development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a nanoprobe system within a scanning electron microscope for single nanowire characterization.
• To analyze charge carrier collection and diode recombination properties of InP nanowires.
• To correlate single nanowire measurements with array solar cell performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a nanoprobe system inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
• Employed electron beam induced current (EBIC) for charge carrier collection analysis.
• Measured dark current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for diode recombination assessment.

Main Results:

• Identified performance-limiting parameters by correlating single nanowire data with array solar cell results.
• Achieved a greater than seven-fold improvement in InP nanowire solar cell efficiency.
• Attained a certified efficiency of 15.0% for the best performing solar cell.

Conclusions:

• The presented nanoprobe characterization approach accelerates the development of nanowire solar cells.
• This method provides insights into growth and processing effects on solar cell performance.
• The findings establish a new benchmark for bottom-up synthesized InP nanowire solar cells.