Optimization of Silicon parameters as a betavoltaic battery: Comparison of Si p-n and Ni/Si Schottky barrier

•Silicon parameters were studied in betavoltaic batteries.•Studied betavoltaic batteries include p-n and Schottky barrier structures.•The p-n structure has higher conversion efficiency.

Theoretical studies on the optimization of Silicon (Si) parameters as the base of betavoltaic battery have been presented using Monte Carlo simulations and the state equations in semiconductor to obtain maximum power. Si with active area of 1 cm2 has been considered in p-n junction and Schottky barrier structure to collect the radiation induced-charge from 10 mCi cm−2 of Nickle-63 (63Ni) Source. The results show that the betavoltaic conversion efficiency in the Si p-n structure is about 2.7 times higher than that in the Ni/Si Schottky barrier structure.