Silicon nanowires (SINWs) are fabricated through silver assisted electrochemical etching route at room temperature. Very high yield vertically aligned SINWs are obtained through this electrochemical etching route. The effect of electroplating salt concentration on the properties of SINWs is investigated. Surface morphology shows grass like structures with increase of length and decrease of diameter with increasing salt concentration. Atomic force microscopy reveals increased surface roughness. UV–Visible spectra show reduced reflectivity enabling the material to be efficient for antireflection coatings. Photoluminescence spectra exhibit multiband transitions. Raman spectra show asymmetric peak broadening with peak downshift. Electrical properties display enhancement of SINWs current with higher AgNO3 concentration due to increased surface mediated effects. Current - voltage characteristics follow thermionic emission model. Samples exhibit space charge limited conduction at higher bias voltages due to presence of traps or crystal imperfections. Prepared samples are also investigated for thermoelectric properties and the results show enhanced Seebeck coefficient with increasing AgNO3 concentration. © 2023 Korean Physical Society

Keywords: Electrical transport, Electrochemical etching, Phonons, Silicon nanowire, Thermoelectric