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The unique structural features and suitability of the SiO2 micro particles in different application areas have mobilized a worldwide interest in the last few decades. In this report a classical method known as the Stober method has been used to synthesize silica micro spheres. These microparticles have been synthesized by the reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (Si(OC2H5)4, TEOS) (silica precursor) with water in an alcoholic medium (e.g. ethanol) in the presence of KCl electrolyte and ammonia as a catalyst. It has been observed that the size of the microparticles closely depends on the amount of the TEOS and ammonia. A decrease in the size of micro particles from 2.1 micrometer to 1.7 micrometer has been confirmed as the amount of TEOS increases from 3.5 ml to 6.4 ml respectively. In similar way a decrease in the diameter of the micro particles from 2.1 micrometer to 1.7 micrometer has been observed with increase in the ammonia content from 3 ml to 9 ml., Comment: 4 page, 2 Figures

In Si nanowire (SiNW) solar cells enhanced light confinement property in addition to decoupling of charge carrier collection and light absorption directions plays a significant role to resolve the draw backs of bulk Si solar cells. In this report we have studied the dependence of the phovoltaic properties of Si NW array solar cells on the SiNW length and enhanced surface defect states as a result of enhanced surface area of the NWs. The SiNW arrays have been fabricated using metal catalyzed electroless etching (MCEE) technique. p-n junction has been produced by spin-on-dopant technique followed by thermal diffusion process. Front and rear electrodes have been deposited by e-beam evaporation techniques. SiNW lengths have been controlled from ~ 320 nm to 6.4 micro meter by controlling the parameters of MCEE technique. Photovoltaic properties of the solar cells have been characterized by measuring quantum efficiency and photocurrent density vs. voltage characteristics. Morphological studies have been carried out by using scanning electron microscopy. Reduction in light trapping capability comes at the benefit of reduced surface defects. The reduction of surface defects has been proved to be more advantageous in comparison to the decrement of light trapping capability. The major contribution to the changes in cell efficiency comes from the enhancement of short circuit current density with a very weak dependence on open circuit voltage. This work is beneficial for the production commercial Si solar cell where SiNW arrays could be used as a antireflection coating instead of using separate antireflection layers and thus could reduced the production cost., Comment: 6 pages, 3 Figures and 1 Table