Polymer use in peel off of nanowire ensembles for photovoltaics applications

Abstract

Nanotechnology is increasingly being explored as a tool for sustainable and innovative solutions. Recent progress in photovoltaics devices, for instance, has enabled the use of nanowires ensembles in the fabrication of solar cells. Potentially, this means energy converting devices capable of achieving higher efficiencies with less material, which can allow solar energy to become more competitive. In addition, properties and structure of nanowires are closely related to their growth process, which is catalyzed by metallic nanoparticles. Modern and eco-friendly processes, such as biosynthesis, can be used for the production of nanoparticles, demonstrating the link between nanotechnology and sustainability.Considering this, the aim of this project is to peel off epitaxially grown nanowires from their original substrate and transfer them to a cheaper one, in order to make high efficiency and economically viable solar cell devices from them. Ripping and transferring the nanowires allow the reuse of the substrate, made of expensive and scarce material such as InP and GaAs, decreasing the solar cell's cost of production. Different polymers will be analysed in various conditions as a membrane to peel off the nanowires. The results will be analyzed considering the integrity of the devise after the peeling and its photoluminescence efficiency. (AU)