In situ grown size-controlled silicon nanocrystals: A p type nanocrystalline-Si:H/a-SiCx:H superlattice (p-nc-Si:H/a-SiCx:H) approach

• In situ grown p-nc-Si:H/a-SiCx:H quantum dot superlattice has been prepared.
• The structural characteristics and quantum confinement effects were investigated.
• n–i–p type a-Si:H solar cell with Voc=0.99 V was obtained at 150 °C.

In situ grown p-nc-Si:H/a-SiCx:H quantum dot superlattice has been prepared by RF-PECVD at a low temperature of 150 °C using layer by layer technique. This preparation method for fabricating superlattice allows controlling the properties of Si quantum dots in potential wells and the characteristics of potential barrier without subsequent annealing treatment, which is fully compatible with thin film Si technologies. High resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations confirm the superlattice structure of silicon quantum dots (~2 nm diameter) separated by a-SiCx:H matrix (2–3 nm thickness) with several periods. Strong room-temperature photoluminescence and the blue-shift of the PL peak position with increasing barrier height are indicative of quantum confinement effects. Applying p-nc-Si:H/a-SiCx:H superlattice as window layers, high open circuit voltage (>0.99 V) was achieved for n–i–p type a-Si:H single junction solar cells.