Surface texture and optical properties of crystalline silicon substrates

A. A. Fashina, K. K. Adama, O. K. Oyewole, V. C. Anye, J. Asare, M. G. Zebaze Kana, W. O. Soboyejo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the effects of surface texture on the optical and light trapping properties of silicon wafers. Surface texture is controlled by anisotropic etching with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solutions. The anisotropic etching of (001) crystalline silicon wafers is shown to result in the formation of {111} pyramidal facets on the surfaces of the wafers. A combination of profilometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy is used to study the effects of KOH/IPA etching on the morphology and roughness of the textured surfaces. The results show that IPA concentration has the strongest effect on the surface roughness of (001)-single crystal crystals at temperatures up to 80 °C. Above this value, evidence of temperature-induced cracking was revealed on the silicon substrate. The best volume concentration ratio of KOH:IPA is also found to be 2:4. The implications of the study are discussed for the design of light trapping in silicon solar cells.

Original languageEnglish
Article number063119
JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2015
Externally publishedYes

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