(Invited) Applications of Porous Silicon to Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: State of the Art

Abstract

Porous Si is a potential candidate to be used as an antireflective coating or to texturize the front surface of multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafers. Mesoporous Si was used as an antireflective coating and macroporous Si exhibiting light trapping properties replaced the alkaline or acidic texturization used in the photovoltaic industry. Mesoporous Si was either formed electrochemically or by stain etching. Macroporous Si was formed electrochemically in HF/organic solution or by metal-assisted etching. The properties of mesoporous and macroporous Si were optimized for mc-Si wafers and evaluated in large size solar cells.