Suzhou nanometer developed carbon nanotube array Schottky solar cells
August 09 02:02:20, 2025
The research team led by Li Qingwen, a researcher at the Suzhou Institute of Nanotechnology and Nanobionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has recently made significant progress in the development of nanotube array photovoltaic cells. The team utilized a carbon nanotube film directly drawn from a spinnable array as a transparent electrode, achieving a device efficiency of 10.5%. This breakthrough was recently published in a special issue of *Small*, marking an important step forward in the field of next-generation solar technology.
According to Materials Views, Schottky photovoltaic cells can be created by transferring a conductive film onto a silicon surface. When light hits the device, photoelectron-hole pairs are separated at the interface between the conductive layer and the silicon—known as the Schottky junction. Compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells, this hybrid approach simplifies the manufacturing process, potentially reducing costs significantly. Among various materials, carbon nanotube films have gained attention for their low surface resistance, tunable optical transmittance, and strong environmental stability, making them ideal candidates for high-performance photovoltaic devices.
Li Qingwen shared that the smooth development of their project was largely due to the excellent structural uniformity, transparency, and electrical properties of the carbon nanotube arrays. Initially, the device efficiency was around 6%, but through extensive experimentation, they managed to improve it. They compared the performance of double-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, finding that double-walled ones performed better. Additionally, they explored the importance of alignment in the nanotube structure. A well-aligned, less collapsible configuration enhanced the contact area between the nanotubes and silicon, creating a more efficient pathway for charge transport, which improved both charge separation and overall conversion efficiency.
To further enhance the performance and stability of these devices, researchers must focus on improving the interface between carbon nanotubes and silicon. A simple physical overlap may hinder charge collection, so optimizing the interfacial bonding is crucial. Moreover, enhancing the quality of the nanotubes themselves—such as reducing defects and achieving more controllable structures—can significantly boost their electrical properties and, consequently, the performance of the solar cells.
Finally, Li Qingwen acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Jiangjiang Jiang, who conducted most of the experiments, as well as the support from researchers Zheng Xinhe and Professor Sun Baoquan from Suzhou University in optimizing the device structure and analyzing data. All team members participated in data interpretation, discussions, and the final paper revision, highlighting the collaborative nature of the research.
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