Surface coatings of zinc oxide–tantalum pentoxide on multicrystalline Si solar cell as effective light harvester

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2022-08, Vol.33 (22), p.17699-17710
• Main Authors: Sivaraj, Santhosh, Rathanasamy, Rajasekar, Velu Kaliyannan, Gobinath, Palanisamy, Manivasakan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blade coating; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Depletion; Deposition; Energy conversion efficiency; Harvesters; Immersion coating; Light sources; Materials Science; Maximum power; Mixtures; Neodymium; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photovoltaic cells; Protective coatings; Silicon; Solar cells; Spin coating; Tantalum; Tantalum oxides; Thin films; Transmittance; Zinc coatings; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-08633-8

One of the key elements to enhance the performance of solar cells was antireflective surface coatings. It can be employed through different deposition techniques such as spin coating, dip coating, blade coating, etc., In this research work, the coating materials such as ZnO, Ta 2 O 5 and ZnO–Ta 2 O 5 blends were coated over silicon solar cells through electrospraying technique. The performance of coated solar cells were evaluated using different characterization techniques. At the coating time of 90 min and input voltage supply of 17 kV, almost uniform thin films were attained. This was confirmed through FESEM and AFM analysis. The transmittance and power output characteristics of coated glass slides and Si solar cells were examined through UV–Vis spectroscopy and I – V source meter. In comparison with other solar cells, the ZnO–Ta 2 O 5 blend (H3) coated cell exhibit uniform layer deposition and minimal light reflectance of 5%. The maximum power conversion efficiency was achieved for H3 solar cell of 17.7% (direct sunlight) and 19.6% (neodymium light source), due to increased transmittance of photons reaching the depletion region. The electrical resistivity of H3 solar cell was noted as 3.57 × 10 −3 Ω cm using four probe method, which was lesser than other solar cells. From the obtained experimental outcomes, ZnO–Ta 2 O 5 blend coated solar cell reveal the maximum performance than other coated and uncoated solar cells. Hence, ZnO–Ta 2 O 5 blends were found to be better antireflective material for attaining maximum output performance of solar cell.