Silicon nanowires for photovoltaic applications: The progress and challenge

Solar cells based on silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays are potentially cost-effective, efficient solar-energy-harvesting devices, arising from the unique three-dimensional geometry. This review focuses on the progress in the development of SiNWs for photovoltaic (PV) applications. SiNW arrays are rationally designed and fabricated in order to achieve advantageous characteristics of light trapping and charge carrier collection for high-performance solar cells. Different types of SiNWs-based PV devices are summarized. The challenge of utilizing these silicon nanostructures in solar cells is also discussed and several possible techniques are proposed so as to enhance the PV performance. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.