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Ju S, Kim H, Kwak H, Kang C, Jung I, Oh S, Lee SG, Kim J, Park HJ, Lee KT. Dielectric light-trapping nanostructure for enhanced light absorption in organic solar cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20649. [PMID: 38001140 PMCID: PMC10673921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dielectric scatterers where Mie resonances can be excited in both electric and magnetic modes have emerged as a promising candidate for efficient light trapping (LT) in thin-film solar cells. We present that light absorption in organic solar cells (OSCs) can be significantly enhanced by a front-sided incorporation of a core-shell nanostructure consisting of a high-refractive-index dielectric nanosphere array conformally coated with a low-refractive-index dielectric layer. Strong forward light scattering of the all-dielectric LT structure enables the absorption in an organic semiconductor to be remarkably boosted over a broad range of wavelengths, which is attributed to interference of a simultaneous excitation of the electric and magnetic dipole resonant modes. The OSC with the LT structure shows the short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 28.23 mA/cm2, which is 10% higher than that of a flat OSC. We also explore how the LT structure affects scattering cross-sections, spectral multipole resonances, and far-field radiation patterns. The approach described in this work could offer the possibility for the improvement of characteristic performances of various applications, such as other thin-film solar cells, photodiodes, light-emitting diodes, and absorbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongcheol Ju
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonwoo Kim
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojae Kwak
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheolhun Kang
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Incheol Jung
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyun Oh
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Gol Lee
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghyun Kim
- Department of Electronic Convergence Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hui Joon Park
- Department of Organic and Nano Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyu-Tae Lee
- Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Ha D, Yoon Y, Zhitenev NB. Nanoscale imaging of photocurrent enhancement by resonator array photovoltaic coatings. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 29:145401. [PMID: 29376500 PMCID: PMC6128288 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaab0c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale surface patterning commonly used to increase absorption of solar cells can adversely impact the open-circuit voltage due to increased surface area and recombination. Here, we demonstrate absorptivity and photocurrent enhancement using silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanosphere arrays on a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell that do not require direct surface patterning. Due to the combined effects of thin-film interference and whispering gallery-like resonances within nanosphere arrays, there is more than 20% enhancement in both absorptivity and photocurrent. To determine the effect of the resonance coupling between nanospheres, we perform a scanning photocurrent microscopy based on a near-field scanning optical microscopy measurement and find a substantial local photocurrent enhancement. The nanosphere-based antireflection coating (ARC), made by the Meyer rod rolling technique, is a scalable and a room-temperature process; and, can replace the conventional thin-film-based ARCs requiring expensive high-temperature vacuum deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongheon Ha
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877, United States
- Maryland Nanocenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, United States
| | - Yohan Yoon
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877, United States
- Maryland Nanocenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, United States
| | - Nikolai B. Zhitenev
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877, United States
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3
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Yang X, Guo W, Wang X, Liao M, Gao P, Ye J. Fabrication of highly ordered 2D metallic arrays with disc-in-hole binary nanostructures via a newly developed nanosphere lithography. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:474001. [PMID: 29098987 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa929e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
2D metallic arrays with binary nanostructures derived from a nanosphere lithography (NSL) method have been rarely reported. Here, we demonstrate a novel NSL strategy to fabricate highly ordered 2D gold arrays with disc-in-hole binary (DIHB) nanostructures in large scale by employing a sacrificing layer combined with a three-step lift-off process. The structural parameters of the resultant DIHB arrays, such as periodicity, hole diameter, disc diameter and thicknesses can be facilely controlled by tuning the nanospheres size, etching condition, deposition angle and duration, respectively. Due to the intimate interactions between two subcomponents, the DIHB arrays exhibit both an extraordinary high surface-enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factor up to 5 × 108 and a low sheet resistance down to 1.7 Ω/sq. Moreover, the DIHB array can also be used as a metal catalyzed chemical etching catalytic pattern to create vertically-aligned Si nano-tube arrays for anti-reflectance application. This strategy provides a universal route for synthesizing other diverse binary nanostructures with controlled morphology, and thus expands the applications of the NSL to prepare ordered nanostructures with multi-function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, People's Republic of China
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Ueno
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Tomoya Oshikiri
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Quan Sun
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Xu Shi
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Misawa
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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5
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Jang YH, Jang YJ, Kim S, Quan LN, Chung K, Kim DH. Plasmonic Solar Cells: From Rational Design to Mechanism Overview. Chem Rev 2016; 116:14982-15034. [PMID: 28027647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Plasmonic effects have been proposed as a solution to overcome the limited light absorption in thin-film photovoltaic devices, and various types of plasmonic solar cells have been developed. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art progress on the design and fabrication of plasmonic solar cells and their enhancement mechanism. The working principle is first addressed in terms of the combined effects of plasmon decay, scattering, near-field enhancement, and plasmonic energy transfer, including direct hot electron transfer and resonant energy transfer. Then, we summarize recent developments for various types of plasmonic solar cells based on silicon, dye-sensitized, organic photovoltaic, and other types of solar cells, including quantum dot and perovskite variants. We also address several issues regarding the limitations of plasmonic nanostructures, including their electrical, chemical, and physical stability, charge recombination, narrowband absorption, and high cost. Next, we propose a few potentially useful approaches that can improve the performance of plasmonic cells, such as the inclusion of graphene plasmonics, plasmon-upconversion coupling, and coupling between fluorescence resonance energy transfer and plasmon resonance energy transfer. This review is concluded with remarks on future prospects for plasmonic solar cell use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Hee Jang
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Jang
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhyoung Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Li Na Quan
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungwha Chung
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ha Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University , 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
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Lim EL, Yap CC, Mat Teridi MA, Teh CH, Mohd Yusoff ARB, Hj Jumali MH. A review of recent plasmonic nanoparticles incorporated P3HT: PCBM organic thin film solar cells. ORGANIC ELECTRONICS 2016; 36:12-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.orgel.2016.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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7
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Ou QD, Li YQ, Tang JX. Light Manipulation in Organic Photovoltaics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2016; 3:1600123. [PMID: 27840805 PMCID: PMC5096050 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201600123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) hold great promise for next-generation photovoltaics in renewable energy because of the potential to realize low-cost mass production via large-area roll-to-roll printing technologies on flexible substrates. To achieve high-efficiency OPVs, one key issue is to overcome the insufficient photon absorption in organic photoactive layers, since their low carrier mobility limits the film thickness for minimized charge recombination loss. To solve the inherent trade-off between photon absorption and charge transport in OPVs, the optical manipulation of light with novel micro/nano-structures has become an increasingly popular strategy to boost the light harvesting efficiency. In this Review, we make an attempt to capture the recent advances in this area. A survey of light trapping schemes implemented to various functional components and interfaces in OPVs is given and discussed from the viewpoint of plasmonic and photonic resonances, addressing the external antireflection coatings, substrate geometry-induced trapping, the role of electrode design in optical enhancement, as well as optically modifying charge extraction and photoactive layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Dong Ou
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices Soochow University Suzhou 215123 P.R. China; Department of Materials Science and Engineering Monash University Clayton Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Yan-Qing Li
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices Soochow University Suzhou 215123 P.R. China
| | - Jian-Xin Tang
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices Soochow University Suzhou 215123 P.R. China
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8
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Luo G, Ren X, Zhang S, Wu H, Choy WCH, He Z, Cao Y. Recent Advances in Organic Photovoltaics: Device Structure and Optical Engineering Optimization on the Nanoscale. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:1547-1571. [PMID: 26856789 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201502775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, which can directly convert absorbed sunlight to electricity, are stacked thin films of tens to hundreds of nanometers. They have emerged as a promising candidate for affordable, clean, and renewable energy. In the past few years, a rapid increase has been seen in the power conversion efficiency of OPV devices toward 10% and above, through comprehensive optimizations via novel photoactive donor and acceptor materials, control of thin-film morphology on the nanoscale, device structure developments, and interfacial and optical engineering. The intrinsic problems of short exciton diffusion length and low carrier mobility in organic semiconductors creates a challenge for OPV designs for achieving optically thick and electrically thin device structures to achieve sufficient light absorption and efficient electron/hole extraction. Recent advances in the field of OPV devices are reviewed, with a focus on the progress in device architecture and optical engineering approaches that lead to improved electrical and optical characteristics in OPV devices. Successful strategies are highlighted for light wave distribution, modulation, and absorption promotion inside the active layer of OPV devices by incorporating periodic nanopatterns/nanostructures or incorporating metallic nanomaterials and nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoping Luo
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - Xingang Ren
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Su Zhang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Hongbin Wu
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - Wallace C H Choy
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Zhicai He
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - Yong Cao
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
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9
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Li MY, Sui M, Pandey P, Zhang Q, Kim ES, Lee J. Systematic Control of Self-Assembled Au Nanoparticles and Nanostructures Through the Variation of Deposition Amount, Annealing Duration, and Temperature on Si (111). NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2015; 10:380. [PMID: 26428015 PMCID: PMC4883281 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-015-1084-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The size, density, and configurations of Au nanoparticles (NPs) can play important roles in controlling the electron mobility, light absorption, and localized surface plasmon resonance, and further in the Au NP-assisted nanostructure fabrications. In this study, we present a systematical investigation on the evolution of Au NPs and nanostructures on Si (111) by controlling the deposition amount (DA), annealing temperature (AT), and dwelling time (DT). Under an identical growth condition, the morphologies of Au NPs and nanostructures drastically evolve when the DA is only slightly varied, based on the Volmer-Weber and coalescence models: i.e. I: mini NPs, II: mid-sized round dome-shaped Au NPs, III: large Au NPs, and IV: coalesced nanostructures. With the AT control, three distinctive ranges are observed: i.e., NP nucleation, Au NPs maturation and melting. The gradual dimensional expansion of Au NPs is always compensated with the density reduction, which is explained with the thermodynamic theory. The DT effect is relatively minor on Au NPs, a sharp contrast to other metallic NPs, which is discussed based on the Ostwald-ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yu Li
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea
| | - Mao Sui
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea
| | - Puran Pandey
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea
| | - Quanzhen Zhang
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea
| | - Eun-Soo Kim
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea
| | - Jihoon Lee
- College of Electronics and Information, Kwangwoon University, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-701, South Korea.
- Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
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10
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From the Au nano-clusters to the nanoparticles on 4H-SiC (0001). Sci Rep 2015; 5:13954. [PMID: 26354098 PMCID: PMC4564804 DOI: 10.1038/srep13954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The control over the configuration, size, and density of Au nanoparticles (NPs) has offered a promising route to control the spatial confinement of electrons and photons, as a result, Au NPs with a various configuration, size and density are witnessed in numerous applications. In this work, we investigate the evolution of self-assembled Au nanostructures on 4H-SiC (0001) by the systematic variation of annealing temperature (AT) with several deposition amount (DA). With the relatively high DAs (8 and 15 nm), depending on the AT variation, the surface morphology drastically evolve in two distinctive phases, i.e. (I) irregular nano-mounds and (II) hexagonal nano-crystals. The thermal energy activates adatoms to aggregate resulting in the formation of self-assembled irregular Au nano-mounds based on diffusion limited agglomeration at comparatively low annealing temperature, which is also accompanied with the formations of hillocks and granules due to the dewetting of Au films and surface reordering. At high temperature, hexagonal Au nano-crystals form with facets along {111} and {100} likely due to anisotropic distribution of surface energy induced by the increased volume of NPs. With the small DA (3 nm), only dome shaped Au NPs are fabricated along with the variation of AT from low to elevated temperature.
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11
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Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites: (Co-)Evaporation/(Co)Sputtering Approaches and Electrical Properties. COATINGS 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings5030378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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12
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Sha WEI, Zhu HL, Chen L, Chew WC, Choy WCH. A general design rule to manipulate photocarrier transport path in solar cells and its realization by the plasmonic-electrical effect. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8525. [PMID: 25686578 PMCID: PMC4330524 DOI: 10.1038/srep08525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that transport paths of photocarriers (electrons and holes) before collected by electrodes strongly affect bulk recombination and thus electrical properties of solar cells, including open-circuit voltage and fill factor. For boosting device performance, a general design rule, tailored to arbitrary electron to hole mobility ratio, is proposed to decide the transport paths of photocarriers. Due to a unique ability to localize and concentrate light, plasmonics is explored to manipulate photocarrier transport through spatially redistributing light absorption at the active layer of devices. Without changing the active materials, we conceive a plasmonic-electrical concept, which tunes electrical properties of solar cells via the plasmon-modified optical field distribution, to realize the design rule. Incorporating spectrally and spatially configurable metallic nanostructures, thin-film solar cells are theoretically modelled and experimentally fabricated to validate the design rule and verify the plasmonic-tunable electrical properties. The general design rule, together with the plasmonic-electrical effect, contributes to the evolution of emerging photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei E I Sha
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Hugh L Zhu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Luzhou Chen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Weng Cho Chew
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Wallace C H Choy
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
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Chaturvedi N, Swami SK, Dutta V. Plasmonic effect of spray-deposited Au nanoparticles on the performance of inverted organic solar cells. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:10772-10778. [PMID: 25100621 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr03270e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles with varying sizes were prepared by the spray process under an electric field (DC voltages of 0 V and 1 kV applied to the nozzle) for studying their role in inverted organic solar cells (ITO/Au/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/Ag). The application of electric field during the spray process resulted in a smaller size (35 nm as compared to 70 nm without the electric field) of the nanoparticles with more uniform distribution. This gave rise to a difference in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect created by the gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), which then affected the solar cell performance. The photovoltaic performances of plasmonic inverted organic solar cells (ITO/Au/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/Ag) using spray-deposited Au and ZnO layers (both at 1 kV) showed improved efficiency. Fast exciton quenching in the P3HT:PCBM layer was achieved by using a spray-deposited Au layer in between ITO and ZnO layers. The absorption spectra and internal power conversion efficiency (IPCE) curve showed that the Au nanoparticles provide significant plasmonic broadband light absorption enhancement which resulted in the enhancement of the JSC value. Maximum efficiency of 3.6% was achieved for the inverted organic solar cell (IOSC) with an exceptionally high short circuit current density of ∼15 mA cm(-2) which is due to the additional photon absorption and the corresponding increase observed in the IPCE spectrum. The spray technique can be easily applied for the direct formation of Au nanoparticles in the fabrication of IOSC with improved performance over a large area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Chaturvedi
- Photovoltaic Laboratory, Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India.
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14
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Chen M, Shao L, Kershaw SV, Yu H, Wang J, Rogach AL, Zhao N. Photocurrent enhancement of HgTe quantum dot photodiodes by plasmonic gold nanorod structures. ACS NANO 2014; 8:8208-16. [PMID: 25020202 DOI: 10.1021/nn502510u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The near-field effects of noble metal nanoparticles can be utilized to enhance the performance of inorganic/organic photosensing devices, such as solar cells and photodetectors. In this work, we developed a well-controlled fabrication strategy to incorporate Au nanostructures into HgTe quantum dot (QD)/ZnO heterojunction photodiode photodetectors. Through an electrostatic immobilization and dry transfer protocol, a layer of Au nanorods with uniform distribution and controllable density is embedded at different depths in the ZnO layer for systematic comparison. More than 80 and 240% increments of average short-circuit current density (Jsc) are observed in the devices with Au nanorods covered by ∼7.5 and ∼4.5 nm ZnO layers, respectively. A periodic finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation model is developed to analyze the depth-dependent property and confirm the mechanism of plasmon-enhanced light absorption in the QD layer. The wavelength-dependent external quantum efficiency spectra suggest that the exciton dissociation and charge extraction efficiencies are also enhanced by the Au nanorods, likely due to local electric field effects. The photodetection performance of the photodiodes is characterized, and the results show that the plasmonic structure improves the overall infrared detectivity of the HgTe QD photodetectors without affecting their temporal response. Our fabrication strategy and theoretical and experimental findings provide useful insight into the applications of metal nanostructures to enhance the performance of organic/inorganic hybrid optoelectronic devices.
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Choy WCH, Chan WK, Yuan Y. Recent advances in transition metal complexes and light-management engineering in organic optoelectronic devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:5368-5398. [PMID: 25042158 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201306133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Two of the recent major research topics in optoelectronic devices are discussed: the development of new organic materials (both molecular and polymeric) for the active layer of organic optoelectronic devices (particularly organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)), and light management, including light extraction for OLEDs and light trapping for organic solar cells (OSCs). In the first section, recent developments of phosphorescent transition metal complexes for OLEDs in the past 3-4 years are reviewed. The discussion is focused on the development of metal complexes based on iridium, platinum, and a few other transition metals. In the second part, different light-management strategies in the design of OLEDs with improved light extraction, and of OSCs with improved light trapping is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace C H Choy
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
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16
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Chou CH, Chen FC. Plasmonic nanostructures for light trapping in organic photovoltaic devices. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:8444-58. [PMID: 24979242 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr02191f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, we have witnessed rapid advances in the development of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs). At present, the highest level of efficiency has surpassed 10%, suggesting that OPVs have great potential to become competitive with other thin-film solar technologies. Because plasmonic nanostructures are likely to further improve the efficiency of OPVs, this Article reviews recent progress in the development of metal nanostructures for triggering plasmonic effects in OPVs. First, we briefly describe the physical fundamentals of surface plasmons (SPs). Then, we discuss recent approaches toward increasing the light trapping efficiency of OPVs through the incorporation of plasmonic structures. Finally, we provide a brief outlook into the future use of SPs in highly efficient OPVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hsien Chou
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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17
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Choy WCH. The emerging multiple metal nanostructures for enhancing the light trapping of thin film organic photovoltaic cells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:11984-93. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc03767g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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18
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Liu K, Bi Y, Qu S, Tan F, Chi D, Lu S, Li Y, Kou Y, Wang Z. Efficient hybrid plasmonic polymer solar cells with Ag nanoparticle decorated TiO2 nanorods embedded in the active layer. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:6180-6186. [PMID: 24796321 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00030g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid plasmonic polymer solar cell, in which plasmonic metallic nanostructures (such as Ag, Au, and Pt nanoparticles) are embedded in the active layer, has been under intense scrutiny recently because it provides a promising new approach to enhance the efficiency of the device. We propose a brand new hybrid plasmonic nanostructure, which combines a plasmonic metallic nanostructure and one-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals, to enhance the photocurrent of the device through a strong localized electric field and an enhanced charge transport channel. We demonstrate that when Ag nanoparticle decorated TiO2 nanorods were introduced into the active layer of polymer-fullerene based bulk heterojunction solar cells, the photocurrent significantly increased to 14.15 mA cm(-2) from 6.51 mA cm(-2) without a decrease in the open voltage; thus, the energy conversion efficiency was dramatically enhanced to 4.87% from 2.57%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
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Gan Q, Bartoli FJ, Kafafi ZH. Plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaics: breaking the 10% efficiency barrier. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:2385-96. [PMID: 23417974 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201203323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have shown 10% power conversion efficiency (PCE) for single-junction cells, which put them in direct competition with PVs based on amorphous silicon. Incorporation of plasmonic nanostructures for light trapping in these thin-film devices offers an attractive solution to realize higher-efficiency OPVs with PCE>>10%. This article reviews recent progress on plasmonic-enhanced OPV devices using metallic nanoparticles, and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) patterned periodic nanostructures. We discuss the benefits of using various plasmonic nanostructures for broad-band, polarization-insensitive and angle-independent absorption enhancement, and their integration with one or two electrode(s) of an OPV device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoqiang Gan
- Electrical Engineering Department, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14150, USA.
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Fu WF, Chen X, Yang X, Wang L, Shi Y, Shi M, Li HY, Jen AKY, Chen JW, Cao Y, Chen HZ. Optical and electrical effects of plasmonic nanoparticles in high-efficiency hybrid solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:17105-11. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp52723a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Improved performance was obtained by doping a hole-transporting layer or active layer with Au nanoparticles in PCPDTBT–CdSe QD hybrid solar cells.
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