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New Method of Preparation of Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films for High-Efficiency and Low-Cost Solar Cells

Research Project

Project/Area Number 07458106
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field エネルギー学一般・原子力学
Research InstitutionOsaka University

Principal Investigator

NAKATO Yoshihiro  Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Professor, 大学院・基礎工学研究科, 教授 (70029502)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) YAE Shinji  Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Research Associate, 大学院・基礎工学研究科, 助手 (00239716)
KOBAYASHI Hikaru  Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Associate Professor, 大学院・基礎工学研究科, 助教授 (90195800)
Project Period (FY) 1995 – 1996
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1996)
Budget Amount *help
¥7,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥7,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1996: ¥3,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000)
Fiscal Year 1995: ¥3,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000)
KeywordsPolycrysalline silicon / Porous silicon / Ultrafine metal particle / Electrodeposition / Fused salt electrolyte / Current oscillation / Solar cell / New junction / 多結晶シリコン薄膜 / 常温溶融塩 / 振動現象
Research Abstract

Research has been made for the purpose of (1) preparing polycrystalline silicon (Si) thin films by a new electrochemical method and (2) fabrication a high-efficiency and lowcost solar cell of a new type by development of a new junction suitable for use of such polycrystalline Si thin films. A LiCl-KCl eutectic melt at ca. 450゚C was used as an electrolyte, and silicon tetrachloride was electrochemically reduced and deposited on a single-crystal Si wafer or a polycrystalline Ni plate as the cathode (and substrate). Scanning electron micrographs and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that polycrystalline Si thin films were really deposited, but the films were inhomogeneous and deposited only near the upper edge of an electrolyte meniscus on the cathode, probably due to very low solubility of SiCl_4 in the electrolyte. This problem has been solved later by using an organic salt such as n-butylpyridinium chloride as the electrolyte. Basic studies on the mechanism of Si deposition has been made. First, the redox potential for SiCl_4 reduction was determined to be -0.5 V vs.Ag/Ag^+. Next, the mechanism of a current oscillation, found for reduction current corresponding to Si deposition was studied. It has been concluded that progress of the Si-depositing reaction changes the chemical structure of the Si surface, which alters the interfacial tension and hence the height of an electrolyte meniscus, and this causes the current oscillation. The Si surface modified with ultrafine metal particles has been studied as a new junction suitable for use of polycrystalline Si thin films. The deposition of ultrafine platinum particles not only on singlecrystal Si but also multicrystalline Si wafers showed that this method of junction formation is effectively applicable to polycrystalline Si thin films.

Report

(3 results)
  • 1996 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 1995 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (26 results)

All Other

All Publications (26 results)

  • [Publications] Y. Nakato: "Improvement of Characteristics of New-Type Solar Cells, Having a "Transparent Conductor/Thin SiO_2 Layer with Ultrafine Metal Particles as Conductive Channels/n-Si" Junction" Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells. 37 (3/4). 323-335 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H. Kobayashi: "Mechanism of Carrier Transport through a Silicon-Oxide Layer for <Indium-Tin-Oxide/Silicon-Oxide/Silicon> Solar Cells" J. Appl. Phys.78 (6). 3931-3939 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H. Kobayashi: "Mechanism of Open Circuit Photovoltages for Silicon/Methanol Junction Solar Cells" J. Electroanal. Chem.398. 165-168 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] S. Yae: "Minority Carrier Controlled PEC Solar Cells, Using n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layers of Ultrafine Pt Particles" Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells. 43 (3). 311-318 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T. Matsuda: "Oscillatory Behavior in Electrochemical Deposition Reaction of Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films through Reduction of Silicon Tetrachloride in a Molten Salt Electrolyte" Chem. Lett.569-570 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] J. Jia: "Hole Diffusion Length and Temperature Dependence of Photovoltages for n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layers of Ultrafine Platinum Particles" Electrochim. Acta. 42 (3). 431-437 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] F. Wunsch: "Microwave Photoelectrochemical Studies of Silicon Interfaces Covered with Platinum Dots" J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans.92 (20). 4053-4059 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] K. Kawakami: "Improvement in Photovoltage and Stability of Porous n-Si Electrodes Coated with Platinum by Regulation of the Thickness of Nanoporous Layers" J. Phys. Chem. (submitted). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] R. Hinogami: "Modification of Semiconductor Surface with Ultrafine Metal Particles for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide" Appl. Surf. Sci. (in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Nakato, K.Kai and K.Kawabe: "Improvement of Characteristics of New-Type Solar Cells, Having a "Transparent Conductor/Thin SiO_2 Layr with Ultrafine Metal Particles as Conductive Channels/n-Si" Junction" Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells. 37, (3/4). 323-335 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H.Kobayashi, T.Ishida, Y.Nakato and H.Mori: "Mechanism of Carrier Transport through a Silicon-Oxide Layr for <Indium-Tin-Oxide/Silicon-Oxide/Silicon> Solar Cells" J.Appl.Phys.78(6). 3931-3939 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H.Kobayashi, T.Kubota, N.Toshikawa, Y.Nakato: "Mechanism of Open Circuit Photovoltages for Silicon/Methanol Junction Solar Cells" J.Electroanal.Chem.398. 165-168 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] S.Yae, M.Fujitani, I.Nakanishi, M.Uetsuji, R.Tsuda, Y.Nakato: "Minority Carrier Controlled PEC Solar Cells, Using n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layrs of Ultrafine Pt Particles" Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells. 43(3). 311-318 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T.Matsuda, S.Nakamura, K.Ide, K.Nyudo, S.Yae, Y.Nakato: "Oscillatory Behavior in Electrochemical Deposition Reaction of Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films through Reduction of Silicon Tetrachloride in a Molten Salt Electrolyte" Chem.Lett.569-570 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] J.Jia, M.Fujitani, S.Yae, Y.Nakato: "Hole Diffusion Lenght and Temperature Dependence of Photovoltages for n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layrs of Ultrafine Platinum Particles" Electrochim.Acta. 42(3). 431-437 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] F.Wunsch, Y.Nakato, M.Kunst, H.Tributsch: "Microwave Photoelectrochemical Studies of Silicon Interfaces Covered with Platinum Dots" J.Chem.Soc., Faraday Trans.92(20). 4053-4059 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kazuyuki Kawakami, Takashi Fujii, Shinji Yae, and Yoshihiro Nakato: "Improvement in Photovoltage and Stability of Porous n-Si Electrodes Coated with Platinum by Regulation of the Thickness of Nanoporous Layrs" J.Phys.Chem.(submitted). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] R.Hinogami, Y.Nakamura, S.Yae, Y.Nakato: "Modification of Semiconductor Surface with Ultrafine Metal Particles for Efficient Potoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide" Appl.Surf.Sci.(in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1996 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] S.Yae: "Minority Carrier Controlled PEC Solar Cells,Using n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layers of Ultrafine Pt Particles" Solar Energy Mater.Solar Cells. 43(3). 311-318 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] T.Matsuda: "Oscillatory Behavior in Electrochemical Deposition Reaction of Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films through Reduction of Silicon Tetrachloride in a Molten Salt Electrolyte" Chem.Lett.569-570 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] J.Jia: "Hole Diffusion Length and Temperature Dependence of Photovoltages for n-Si Electrodes Modified with LB Layers of Ultrafine Platinum Particles" Electrochim.Acta. 42(3). 431-437 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] F.Wunsch: "Microwave Photoelectrochemical Studies of Silicon Interfaces Covered with Platinum Dots" J.Chem.Soc.,Faraday Trans.92(20). 4053-4059 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Yosihiro Nakato: "Improvement of Charateristics of New-Type Solar Cells,Having a “Transprarent Conductor/Thin SiO_2 Layer with Ultrafine Metal Particles as Conductive Channels/n-Si" Junction." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 37. 323-335 (1995)

    • Related Report
      1995 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hikaru Kobayashi: "Mechanism of Carrier Transport through a Silicon-Oxide Layer for 〈Indium-Tin-Oxide/Silicon-Oxide/Silicon〉 Solar Cells." Journal of Applied Physics. 78. 3931-3939 (1995)

    • Related Report
      1995 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hikaru Kobayashi: "Mechanism of Open Circuit Photovoltages for Silicon/Methanol Junction Solar Cells." Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry. 398. 165-168 (1995)

    • Related Report
      1995 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Toshihiko Matsuda: "Oscillatory Behavior in Electrochemical Deposition Reaction of Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films through Reduction of Silicon Tetrachloride in a Molten Salt Electrolyte." Chemistry Letters. (Submitted).

    • Related Report
      1995 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1995-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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