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Quantitative modeling, optimization, and verification of 63Ni-powered betavoltaic cells based on three-dimensional ZnO nanorod arrays

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Abstract

Betavoltaic cells (BCs) are promising self-generating power cells with long life and high power density. However, the low energy conversion efficiency (ECE) has limitations in practical engineering applications. Wide-bandgap semiconductors (WBGSs) with three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures are ideal candidates for increasing the ECE of BCs. This paper proposes hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNRAs) for 63Ni-powered BCs. A quantitative model was established for simulation using the parameter values of the dark characteristics, which were obtained from the experimental measurements for a simulated BC based on a Ni-incorporated ZNRAs structure. Monte Carlo (MC) modeling and simulation were conducted to obtain the values of the β energy deposited in ZNRAs with different nanorod spacings and heights. Through the simulation and optimization of the 3-D ZNRAs and 2-D ZnO bulk structures, the performance of the 63Ni-powered BCs based on both structures was evaluated using a quantitative model. The BCs based on the 3-D ZNRAs structure and 2-D ZnO bulk structure achieved a maximum ECE of 10.1% and 4.69%, respectively, which indicates the significant superiority of 3-D nanostructured WBGSs in increasing the ECE of BCs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China

    Zan Ding, Tong-Xin Jiang, Ren-Rong Zheng, Na Wang & Hai-Sheng San

  2. Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China

    Zan Ding, Tong-Xin Jiang, Ren-Rong Zheng, Na Wang & Hai-Sheng San

  3. China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, 102413, China

    Li-Feng Zhang & Xin Li

  4. Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources, Shanghai, 200245, China

    Shi-Chao Liu

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  1. Zan Ding
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  4. Na Wang
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  7. Xin Li
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Zan Ding, Tong-Xin Jiang, Ren-Rong Zheng, and Na Wang. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Zan Ding. Writing—review—and editing of the manuscript were performed by Hai-Sheng San. Project administration and source support were performed by Li-Feng Zhang, Shi-Chao Liu, Xin Li, and Hai-Sheng San. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xin Li or Hai-Sheng San.

Additional information

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 12175190 and U2241284), the National Key R&D Program of China (Nos. SQ2022YFB190165), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China (No. 2022J02006), and the Special Funds for Central Government Guiding Shenzhen Development in Science and Technology, China (No. 2021Szvup066).

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Ding, Z., Jiang, TX., Zheng, RR. et al. Quantitative modeling, optimization, and verification of 63Ni-powered betavoltaic cells based on three-dimensional ZnO nanorod arrays. NUCL SCI TECH 33, 144 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-022-01127-6

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