Device Architecture for Improved Redox Couple Mass Transport in Silicon Microwire Photoelectrodes and Electrical Contacts to Silicon Microwire Photovoltaics

Author: Meng, Andrew Chengsi

Year: 2013

Degree: Senior thesis (Major)

Advisor: Lewis, Nathan Saul

Committee Member: None, None

Option: Chemistry; Physics

DOI: 10.7907/0BJF-R697

Abstract

Applications of silicon microwires to solar energy conversion are investigated in this thesis, which is divided into two chapters. In the first chapter, silicon microwires are investigated as photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical cells. The mass transport limitations of redox couple is studied in these liquid junction solar cells, and a device architecture proposed and successfully demonstrated to improve device performance. This work was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is reproduced in chapter one (32). In the second chapter, the device architecture developed to improve redox couple mass transport in liquid junction solar cells is explored as a possible method to make electrical contacts to silicon microwire photovoltaics.

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