High efficiency inorganic nanorod-enhanced photovoltaic devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
- a) a substrate;
b) a first region comprising an array of 1-dimensional nanostructures positioned on the substrate in a substantially vertical orientation;
c) a second region residing on top of the first region such that contact of the first and second regions forms at least one charge separating junction;
d) a third region comprising a conductive transparent material residing as a layer on top of the second region; and
e) top and bottom contacts operable for connecting the device to an external circuit, wherein the bottom contact is in electrical contact with the first region and the top contact is in electrical contact with the second region;
wherein the first, second, and third regions are comprised exclusively of inorganic components.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to photovoltaic devices comprising nanostructured materials, wherein such photovoltaic devices are comprised exclusively of inorganic components. Depending on the embodiment, such nanostructured materials are either 1-dimensional nanostructures or branched nanostructures, wherein such nanostructures are used to enhance the efficiency of the photovoltaic device, particularly for solar cell applications. Additionally, the present invention is also directed at methods of making and using such devices.
305 Citations
54 Claims
-
1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
-
a) a substrate;
b) a first region comprising an array of 1-dimensional nanostructures positioned on the substrate in a substantially vertical orientation;
c) a second region residing on top of the first region such that contact of the first and second regions forms at least one charge separating junction;
d) a third region comprising a conductive transparent material residing as a layer on top of the second region; and
e) top and bottom contacts operable for connecting the device to an external circuit, wherein the bottom contact is in electrical contact with the first region and the top contact is in electrical contact with the second region;
wherein the first, second, and third regions are comprised exclusively of inorganic components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 51, 52)
-
-
25. A method of making a photovoltaic device comprising the steps of:
-
a) forming a first region on a substrate, wherein the first region comprises an array of 1-dimensional nanostructures that are positioned on the substrate in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the substrate;
b) establishing a second region of material on top of the first region such that contact of the first and second regions forms at least one charge separating junction;
c) providing a third region, comprising an optically transparent conductive material, as a layer on top of the second region; and
d) providing top and bottom contacts operable for connecting the device to an external circuit, wherein the bottom contact is in electrical contact with the first region and the top contact is in electrical contact with the second region. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. A photovoltaic device comprising:
-
a) a substrate;
b) a first region comprising an array of branched nanostructures of semiconducting material positioned on the substrate, wherein charge separating junctions exist within such branched nanostructures;
c) a second region comprising a conductive transparent material residing as a layer on top of the first region; and
d) top and bottom contacts operable for connecting the device to an external circuit;
wherein the first and second regions are comprised exclusively of inorganic components. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
-
-
53. A photovoltaic device comprising:
-
a) a substrate;
b) a first region comprising an array of 1-dimensional nanostructures positioned on the substrate in a substantially vertical orientation;
c) a second region residing on top of the first region such that contact of the first and second regions forms at least one charge separating junction;
d) a third region comprising a conductive transparent material residing as a layer on top of the second region; and
e) top and bottom contacts operable for connecting the device to an external circuit, wherein the bottom contact is in electrical contact with the first region and the top contact is in electrical contact with the second region;
wherein the 1-dimensional nanostructures comprise a surface passivation layer. - View Dependent Claims (54)
-
Specification