Sol-gel Synthesis and Optical Characterisation of TiO2 Thin Films for Photovoltaic Application

TiO2 thin films have been prepared by the sol-gel dipcoating
technique in order to elaborate antireflective thin films for
monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si). The titanium isopropoxyde was
chosen as a precursor with hydrochloric acid as a catalyser for
preparing a stable solution. The optical properties have been tailored
with varying the solution concentration, the withdrawn speed, and the
heat-treatment. We showed that using a TiO2 single layer with 64.5
nm in thickness, heat-treated at 450°C or 300°C reduces the mono-Si
reflection at a level lower than 3% over the broadband spectral
domains [669-834] nm and [786-1006] nm respectively. Those latter
performances are similar to the ones obtained with double layers of
low and high refractive index glasses respectively.

• N. H. Arabi
• Aicha Iratni
• Talaighil Razika
• Bruno Capoen
• Mohamed Bouazaoui

• Dip coating
• mono-Si
• titanium oxide
• thin film.

[1] J.D.Jackso, Classical Electrodynamics, 2nd ed. Wiley, New York, 281-
282( 1975)
[2] B.S. Richards, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells. 79. 369–390
(2003).
[3] Ya-Qi Hou, Da-Ming Zhuang, Gong Zhang, Ming Zhao, Min-Sheng
Wu, Applied Surface Science. 218, 97–105 (2003).
[4] A. Aidla, T. Uustare, A. A. Kiisler, J. Aarik, V. Sammelselg, Thin Solid
Films. 305, 270 (1997).
[5] Y. Choi, S. Yamamoto, T. Umebayashi, M. Yoshikawa, Solid State
Ionics. 172, 105-108 (2004).
[6] P.Chrysicopoulou, D.Davazoglou, Chr.Trapalis, G.Kordas, Thin Solid
Films. 323, 188-193 (1998).
[7] L. Hu, T. Yoko, H. Kozuka, Thin Solid Films. 219, 18 (1992).
[8] S. Y. Kim, K. Vedam, Appl. 25, 2013 (1986).
[9] N.K. Sahoo, S. Thakur, R.B Pokas, Appl. Opt. 45, 3243 (2006).
[10] C. Kittel, Introduction to solid State Physics, Seventh Ed., John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., NY, (1996).
[11] A.R. Forouhi, I. Bloomer, Phys. Rev. B 34, 7018 (1986).
[12] M. Born, E. Wolf, “Principles of Optics” Pergamon Press, Oxford
(1993).
[13] N. H. Arabi, A. Iratni, H. El Hamzaoui, B. Capoen, M. Bouazaoui, M.
Halbwax, J. P. Vilcot & S. BastideJ, Sol-Gel Sci Technol (2012) 62:24-
30
[14] M. Losurdo, D. Barreca, P. Capezzuto, et al. Surface and Coatings
Technology.151, 152: 2-8 (2002).
[15] P. Eiamchai, P. Chindaudom, A. Pokaipisit, P. Limsuwan, Current
Applied Physics. 9,707-712 (2009).
[16] R.P. Spiers, C.V. Subbaraman, W. L. Wilkinson, Ch. Eng. Sciences 29,
389 (1974)
[17] G.San Vicente, A. Morales, M.T.Gutierre, Thin Solid Films. 391, 133-
137 (2001).
[18] D. Bouhafs, A. Moussi, A. Chikouche, J.M. Ruiz, Solar Energy
Materials and Solar Cells 52:79-93 (1998).
[19] F.C. Marques, IEEE Trans. Electron Device 45, 619 (1998).
[20] Shui -Yang Lien, Dong-Sing Wuu et al. Solar Energy Materials. 1-10
(2007).