Surface Plasmon Resonance Effect in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Perovskite solar cells (PVSC) offer promising photovoltaic performance.
• Tuning the band gap of perovskite materials is crucial for optimizing solar energy harvesting.
• Localized surface plasmons can enhance light absorption and charge carrier dynamics in solar cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To incorporate spectrally tuned gold/silica (Au/SiO2) core/shell nanostructures into inverted perovskite solar cells.
• To investigate the effect of bromide incorporation on the perovskite band gap and its synergy with plasmonic effects.
• To enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells through improved exciton dissociation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of inverted perovskite solar cells using hybrid lead halide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI2.85Br0.15).
• Integration of spectrally tuned Au/SiO2 core/shell nanospheres and nanorods.
• Characterization using spectral response, time-resolved photoluminescence, and transient photovoltage decay measurements.

Main Results:

• Gradual increase in perovskite band gap achieved by bromide incorporation, creating a suitable window for plasmon resonance.
• Introduction of localized surface plasmons significantly enhanced exciton dissociation.
• Synchronized improvement in photovoltage and photocurrent observed.
• Achieved a power conversion efficiency of 13.7% for the inverted CH3NH3PbI2.85Br0.15 planar PVSC device.

Conclusions:

• The incorporation of Au/SiO2 nanostructures is an efficient and simple method to enhance perovskite solar cell performance.
• Plasmonic enhancement combined with band gap tuning offers a viable strategy for high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics.
• Further research into plasmonic-perovskite interactions can lead to advanced solar cell designs.