N-acetyle cysteine assisted synthesis of core–shell Ag2S with enhanced light transmission and diminished reflectance: Surface modifier for c-SiNx solar cells

•N-acetyle cysteine assisted synthesis of core-shell Ag2S NPs is reported.•The material was used as a surface modifier for c-SiNx solar cells.•Surface modification enhances EQE of the solar cells within 675–1100 nm.•Notable enhancement in solar cell efficiency was attended by applying such NPs.

We report the synthesis of an amino acid viz. N-acetyle cysteine (NAC) assisted silver sulphide (Ag2S) nanoparticles by in situ reduction technique of silver nitrate (AgNO3) with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in presence of NAC, where NAC acted as the sulphur donor as well as encapsulating agent. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and dynamic light scattering technique. An enhancement was noticed in the current–voltage characteristics, with major reduction in reflectance when c-SiNx solar cells were coated with such nanoparticles. Broadband enhancement of external quantum efficiency (EQE) was also observed.

Graphical abstractN-acetyle cysteine assisted Ag2S nanoparticles with core–shell structure and worm like morphology were synthesized successfully by an in situ reduction technique. It has been found that stock solution with proper dilution can enhance light transmission and lower the reflectance when used as a coating on glass substrates. The c-SiNx solar cells coated with properly diluted worm like Ag2S nanoparticles also showed an overall enhancement in the external quantum efficiency with effective lowering in reflectance which resulted in 2.05% increment in overall efficiency.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide