Bioinspired phase-separated disordered nanostructures for thin photovoltaic absorbers.

ABSTRACT: The wings of the black butterfly, Pachliopta aristolochiae, are covered by micro- and nanostructured scales that harvest sunlight over a wide spectral and angular range. Considering that these properties are particularly attractive for photovoltaic applications, we analyze the contribution of these micro- and nanostructures, focusing on the structural disorder observed in the wing scales. In addition to microspectroscopy experiments, we conduct three-dimensional optical simulations of the exact scale structure. On the basis of these results, we design nanostructured thin photovoltaic absorbers of disordered nanoholes, which combine efficient light in-coupling and light-trapping properties together with a high angular robustness. Finally, inspired by the phase separation mechanism of self-a

SUBMITTER: Siddique RH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5648565 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature