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Integration of Light Trapping Silver Nanostructures in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells by Transfer Printing
Published on: November 9, 2015
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Influence of Ag Nanostructure Location on the Absorption Enhancement in Polymer Solar Cells
Abhijith T Nair1, Shamjid P Palappra1, V S Reddy1
1Organic and Nanoelectronics Laboratory, Department of Physics , National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) , Calicut 673 601 , Kerala , India.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 1, 2018
Summary
Silver nanospheres and nanocubes significantly enhance light absorption in organic solar cells. Simulations show these nanostructures, especially at the top layer, boost absorption by over 60% due to near-field effects and light reflection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) require efficient light absorption for improved performance.
- Plasmonic nanoparticles can enhance light absorption in OSC active layers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the optical absorption enhancement in Ag nanocube (NC)- and nanosphere (NS)-embedded OSC active layers.
- To explore the impact of nanostructure location and passivation layers on absorption enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three-dimensional finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations.
- Incorporated Ag nanostructures (NCs and NSs) as a 2D array within the active layer matrix.
- Investigated various passivation layers.
Main Results:
- Achieved absorption enhancements of 53% with NSs and 61% with NCs when placed at the top of the active layer.
- Demonstrated that absorption enhancement is primarily driven by near-field effects and backward reflection from the nanostructure array.
- Analyzed the influence of passivation layers on absorption.
Conclusions:
- Ag nanostructures, particularly NCs, offer significant potential for enhancing light absorption in OSCs.
- Strategic placement of nanostructures and the use of passivation layers are crucial for optimizing absorption enhancement.
- FDTD simulations provide a valuable tool for designing plasmonic-enhanced OSCs.
Keywords:
FDTD simulationsabsorption enhancementplasmonic effectspolymer solar cellssilver nanostructuresMore Related Videos
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