Electronic Junction Control in a Nanotube-Semiconductor Schottky Junction Solar Cell

We exploit the low density of electronic states in single wall carbon nanotubes to demonstrate active, electronic modulation of their Fermi level offset relative to n-type silicon in a nanotube-Si (metal-semiconductor) Schottky junction solar cell. Electronic modulation of the Fermi level offset, the junction interface dipole and a field developed across the depletion layer modifies the built-in potential in the device and its power generation characteristics. As produced (before modulation) devices exhibit ∼8.5% power conversion efficiency (PCE). With active modulation the PCE is continuously and reversibly changed from 4 to 11%.