Design of a Solar Cell Comprising Multiple Nanoheterojunctions: Theoretical Insights Based on Data Analysis

Reducing the overall cost of silicon solar cells while maintaining performance is crucial for commercialization. This study investigates a non-conventional approach to solar cell design that integrates non-crystalline silicon with nanosized crystalline lead chalcogenides (Si:PbX) (X = S, Se, Te) to lower costs and enhance performance through the creation of multiple nanoheterojunction structures. Utilizing the principle of self-organization, the theoretical model of the heterojunction supports the feasibility of growing PbX nanocrystals as coherent nanostructures on silicon surfaces. The study systematically evaluates the influence of material properties on solar cell efficiency, particularly focusing on the formation of the contact field and its effects on the device’s electrical performance. Si:PbX demonstrates significant multi-exciton generation and carrier multiplication effects, which present substantial potential for improving solar cell efficiency while maintaining comparable contact field parameters to traditional silicon solar cells. These findings may endow the rational design of solar cells with multiple nanoheterojunction Si:PbX for practical applications.