The realization of a pn-diode using only silicon nanoparticles

Si nanoparticles (Si-NPs) are a non-toxic and low-cost material resource that can be processed from dispersion for electrical thin film or from powder for bulk application using various sintering techniques. So far research on electronic applications using Si-NPs is limited. Few reports exist on thermoelectric research, or hybrid photovoltaic applications. In the following we demonstrate the realization of the first Si pn-diode using only Si-NPs in combination with field-assisted sintering.