Effects of acid-treated silicon nanowires on hybrid solar cells performance

► P-type tin-catalyzed silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were grown on ITO by PECVD. ► Hybrid solar cells based on silicon nanowires and organic materials were fabricated. ► HCl and HF treatments are used to remove of residual catalyst and native oxide of SiNWs. ► Impressive improvements of performance are analyzed in optical and electrical aspects. ► Light intensity dependence of Voc explained the recombination for HCl dipping times.