Multi-functional Al-catalyzed Si nanowires: self-assembled zero and one-dimensional hybrid nanostructure formations

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14096
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 28030:Nanomaterials-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Materials Science
• Principal Investigator: JEVASUWAN Wipakorn 国立研究開発法人物質・材料研究機構, 国際ナノアーキテクトニクス研究拠点, 主任研究員 (40748216)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: Nanostructures / Nanowires / Silicon / Germanium

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The multi-functional aluminium (Al)-catalyzed silicon nanowire (SiNW) growths on the controlling of surface transformation were successfully performed. The effects of growth parameters on SiNW formation using a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism were studied. The SiNW properties for photovoltaic applications were obtained extremely low light reflectance below 10% and the Al doping concentration of less than 1019 cm-3 range. The Al-catalyzed SiNW-based solar cell fabrication was realized with an efficiency higher than 9% with complete Al catalyst removal. Thin SiNW solar cells provided by pre-chemical etch and post-mechanical polish for developing into the flexible devices were achieved the efficiency upon 5.0%. The core-shell and core-double-shell NW structures of p-Si and i-Ge were studied for NW transistor applications. The thin B-doped Si intermediate layer and B doping in the p-Si shell outermost layer successfully improved the ability of carrier generation.

Free Research Field

Nanomaterials science and engineering

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

All functionalized SiNW formations together with device demonstration encourage the increased ability to widespread SiNW-based applications with low-cost materials and high throughput techniques as new alternative SiNWs and nanostructures providing for future technology.