Broadband Absorption in Cadmium Telluride Thin-Film Solar Cells via Composite Light Trapping Techniques

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that combining nanocone texturing and germanium nanoparticle embedding significantly enhances broadband light absorption and efficiency in cadmium telluride thin-film solar cells, with robust performance under varying incident angles.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel dual light trapping approach using nanocones and germanium nanoparticles to improve CdTe solar cell performance, supported by detailed simulations and analysis.

Findings

Achieved a 45.45% increase in short-circuit current density

Realized an 80.72% increase in power conversion efficiency

Demonstrated robustness of the structure under different angles and polarizations

Abstract

Composite light-trapping structures offer a promising approach to achieving broadband absorption and high efficiency in thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) in order to accelerate sustainable energy solutions. As the leading material in thin-film solar technology, cadmium telluride (CdTe) faces challenges from surface reflective losses across the solar spectrum and weak absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) range. This computational study addresses these limitations by employing a dual light trapping technique: the top surfaces of both the CdS and CdTe layers are tapered as nanocones (NCs), while germanium (Ge) spherical nanoparticles (NPs) are embedded within the CdTe absorber layer to enhance broadband absorption. Numerical simulations using Finite-Difference Time Domain (FDTD) and other methods are used to optimize the parameters and configurations of both nanostructures, aiming to achieve peak optoelectronic performance. The results show that a short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of 35.38 mA/$cm^2$ and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 27.76% can be achieved with optimal nanocone (NC) texturing and spherical Ge nanoparticle (NP) configurations, a 45.45% and 80.72% increase compared to baseline structure in $J_{sc}$ and PCE respectively. To understand the enhancement mechanisms, the study includes analyses using diffraction grating theory and Mie theory. Fabricability of these structures is also evaluated. Furthermore, an additional study on the effects of incident angle variation and polarization change demonstrates that the optimal structure is robust under practical conditions, maintaining consistent performance.