Photovoltaic Cells Using Broadband Plasmon-Sensitized Nanostructures

A next-generation solar cell technology is developed by harnessing the broadband optical properties of novel hybrid plasmonic nanoparticles. Plasmon-sensitized photovoltaic (PV) cells are fabricated by integrating a hybrid heterostructure consisting of silver nanocubes surrounded by gold nanorods, which act as broadband sensitizing agents. These nanostructures are precisely deposited onto a TiO₂-coated Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) counter electrode, enabling efficient light harvesting and enhanced PV performance. The fabricated photoactive layer is characterized using optical, morphological, and spectroscopic analyses and through the evaluation of photothermal and photoelectric effects. The photoelectric and photothermal responses of the PV cells are assessed under white and solar light irradiation. This design supports light absorption across the visible and near-infrared ranges, enabling efficient photoelectric conversion under broadband light sources such as white and solar light. Furthermore, it improves the device's long-term stability and efficiency compared to conventional dye-sensitized solar cells. As a proof of concept, the excellent response to direct solar energy is exploited to power the liquid crystal display directly.