As silicon photovoltaics evolve towards thin-wafer technologies, efficient optical absorption at near-infrared wavelengths has become particularly challenging. Current technology employs potassium hydroxide (KOH)-etched microgrooves with silicon nitrides (SiNx) to reduce losses due to reflectivity and the unsuccessful absorption of photons. Yet the technique does not work well for all wavelengths in the solar radiation spectrum. Now novel nanomaterials may offer a solution to this technology challenge.

http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/lab/45330