摘要 |
<p>A method of forming high-purity elemental silicon is disclosed. The method includes the step of heating a silica gel composition, or an intermediate composition derived from a silica gel composition, wherein the silica gel composition or intermediate composition includes at least about 5% by weight carbon, and the heating temperature is above about 1550° C. The heating step results in the production of a product which includes elemental silicon. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a photovoltaic cell. The method includes the step of forming a semiconductor substrate from elemental silicon prepared as described in this disclosure. Additional steps are then undertaken to fabricate the photovoltaic device.</p> |