Question

Which of the following can be used in the construction of solar material?

• A. Sodium
• B. Carbon
• C. Silicon
• D. Both A and C

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both A and C

Solar materials are constructed using semiconductor materials which have an energy band gap of about 1 eV to 1.8 eV and high optical absorption ($\sim {10}^4{cm}^{-1}$).

Silicon is a semiconductor whose energy bad gap (1.14 eV) lies in the required criteria and hence can be used in the construction of solar material.

Sodium is a metal which has overlapping conduction and valence bands while Carbon is a non-metal with energy band gap > 3 eV and hence cannot be used for the process.