Apparatus and methods for solar energy conversion using nanocoax structures
First Claim
1. A nano-optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprising:
- a plurality of nano-coaxial structures comprising an internal conductor surrounded by a semiconducting material coated with an outer conductor;
a film having the plurality of nano-coaxial structures; and
a protruding portion of the an internal conductor extending beyond a surface of the film.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for solar conversion using nanocoax structures are disclosed herein. A nano-optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprising a plurality of nano-coaxial structures comprising an internal conductor surrounded by a semiconducting material coated with an outer conductor; a film having the plurality of nano-coaxial structures; and a protruding portion of the an internal conductor extending beyond a surface of the film. A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising: coating a substrate with a catalytic material; growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes as internal cores of nanocoax units on the substrate; oxidizing the substrate; coating with a semiconducting film; and filling with a metallic medium that wets the semiconducting film of the nanocoax units.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A nano-optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprising:
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a plurality of nano-coaxial structures comprising an internal conductor surrounded by a semiconducting material coated with an outer conductor;
a film having the plurality of nano-coaxial structures; and
a protruding portion of the an internal conductor extending beyond a surface of the film. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A solar cell comprising:
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a metallic film having a top surface, a bottom surface; and
a plurality of nano-coaxial structures comprising a metallic cylinder, filled with a dielectric material and having a central, concentric metallic core having a protruding portion extending beyond a top surface of the film. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising:
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coating a substrate with a catalytic material;
growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes as internal cores of nanocoax units on the substrate;
oxidizing the substrate;
coating with a semiconducting film; and
filling with a metallic medium. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising:
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coating a substrate with a chromium layer;
electrodepositing a catalytic transition metal on the coated substrate;
growing an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the coated substrate;
etching the chromium layer;
coating the coated substrate and the array of CNTs with a dielectric material; and
coating the coated substrate and the array of CNTs with a metal material. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification