Enhanced performance of diamond Schottky nuclear batteries by using ZnO as electron transport layer

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2020-11, Vol.109, p.108026, Article 108026
• Main Authors: Liu, Benjian, Liu, Kang, Zhao, Jiwen, Wang, Weihua, Ralchenko, Victor, Geng, Fangjuan, Yang, Lei, Zhang, Sen, Xue, Jingjing, Han, Jiecai, Zhu, Jiaqi, Dai, Bing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alpha-voltaic battery; CVD diamond; Diamond films; Diamonds; Electron transport; Electron transport layer; Open circuit voltage; Performance enhancement; Photovoltaic cells; Schottky diode; Zinc oxide; ZnO layer
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2020.108026

Improving open-circuit voltage is critical to improving the performance of diamond nuclear battery. ZnO films have been successfully used as the electron transport layer of diamond Schottky nuclear battery in this work. The open-circuit voltage of device with ZnO layer is increased from 1.03 to 1.43 V and the conversion efficiency is increased by 100% to 1.42% compared with device without ZnO layer. By comparing the device structure diagram and potential distribution before and after adding the ZnO layer, we try to find out the cause of the increase in open-circuit voltage. This research provides a new way to improve the open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency of nuclear batteries. [Display omitted] •Diamond Schottky nuclear batteries with ZnO ETL layer were fabricated.•High open-circuit voltage of 1.43 V was obtained.•KPFM measurement shows potential of ZnO is higher than diamond surface.