Method for Producing a Photoactive Layered Composite, Photoactive Layered Composite and Application

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This patent describes a three-step wet-chemical process for creating a photoactive layered composite material. The invention uses a doped silicon substrate with a nanostructured oxide layer that contains metal-lined nanopores acting as nanoemitters. This structure improves the efficiency of photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices, such as solar cells, by enabling better light absorption and charge separation without the need for complex or high-temperature doping steps. The process enables fabrication at low cost and temperature, while resulting in higher energy conversion efficiency.

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• Photovoltaic solar cells for renewable electricity generation
• Photoelectrochemical cells for direct solar-to-fuel (e.g., hydrogen) generation
• Integrated energy harvesting systems in portable devices
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with scalable manufacturing
• Sensors that rely on photo-induced charge separation or catalysis
• Devices for light-driven chemical synthesis or environmental remediation

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Higher energy conversion efficiency (greater than 10%) compared to previous approaches
• Low-temperature, cost-effective, and scalable fabrication process
• Reduced shading losses and no need for highly doped emitter layers
• Applicable to lower-quality or thinner silicon substrates, reducing material cost
• Eco-friendly and resource-efficient process, with recyclable chemicals
• Potential for multifunctional devices combining photovoltaic and catalytic properties

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Patent Abstract

If Schottky contacts are used between a doped silicon substrate as a macroabsorber and rectifying nanoemitters, there is no need for the complex high doping thereof and the shading effect thereof disappears. A wet chemistry preparation, which is based on a self-organized nanopore formation in silicon oxide under photocurrent oscillation conditions, is known. However, the efficiency of photovoltaic components, constructed on such a layered composite, is inadequate for the conversion of energy. In a first section, the method of the invention is therefore based on oxide formation and self-organized nanostructuring on a silicon substrate in a phthalate-containing electrolyte solution. In subsequent sections of the method, the nanostructuring is then covered as far as into the macroabsorber and with a lining metal. All sections of the method are monitored by measurement technology. Special parameters, especially with respect to the potential applied, are worked through. A photoelectrochemical solar cell with an iodine-iodide electrolyte system, constructed on the basis of a photoactive, layered composite of the invention, has an effective energy conversion efficiency of 10.5%. The layered composite of the invention can be used principally for the light induced recovery of power and fuel.