ABSTRACT
The perspective application of functionalized nanostructured carbon and porous silicon-based composite materials for promising alternative energy conversion systems is considered in this study. Carbon and porous silicon (PS) are suggested for further realization of PETE (photon-enhanced thermionic emission for solar concentrators) and thermionic electrodes due to the remarkable properties displayed by these structures. PS layers functionalized with silver (PS/Ag) are acquired with a two-stage technique combining electrochemical etching and deposition processes. The investigation of PS-based materials functionalized with fractal silver clusters for PETE and thermionic energy converter (TEC) electrodes synthesis is reported. UV-Vis spectroscopy is used in order to characterize the surface structure of PS/Ag layers. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon occurring within the array of Ag nanoparticles is unveiled. Two characteristic absorption bands located in the visible spectrum are detected; their nature is attributed to the LSPR effect taking place in the two distinct nanoparticle arrays forming during the synthesis process. The intensity of these bands is conditioned by synthesis parameters of PS matrix.
