ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the design of photosensitive structures based on porous silicon (PS) and ways to improve their photoelectric conversion efficiency. In particular, the features of electrochemical method of forming PS structures for photovoltaic applications are considered. Special attention is focused on studying possibility of modifying PS layers by nanoclusters of metals and "adsorption doping" of silicon nanosystems in order to improve the photovoltaic properties of PS nanostructures. The chapter shows that multilayer organic-inorganic nanosystems, such as hybrid conjugated polymer/PS structures, not only exhibit high sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation in wide spectral range but can be used to create selective and highly responsive photovoltaic gas sensors. It focuses on novel technical solutions and possible ways of enhancing the photovoltaic properties of PS-based structures. The porous structure of such a material favors incorporation of electrically conductive fragments into its bulk that form additional pathways for current flow, and ensure efficient collecting of photogenerated carriers and their transport out of porous layer.
