Investigation of single field-effect surface passivation by constructing electrolyte/Si solar cell structure

The electrolyte/Si solar cell structure is proposed to investigate single field-effect surface passivation. The electrolyte-induced extra electrostatic field under the surface of Si solar cell can be controlled by adjusting voltages between the electrolyte and the surfaces of Si solar cell. Under positive gate voltages, an electron accumulation layer was formed under the electrolyte/Si interface leading to surface passivation of Si solar cell. Our results indicate that the proposed electrolyte/Si solar cell structure made it feasible to investigate single field-effect surface passivation because other interference factor could be eliminated, such as interfacial stress, surface defects and inter diffusion. With single field-effect surface passivation scheme, an increment in short-circuit current of Si solar cell from 6.1 mA to 6.37 mA was achieved.