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Fjell MD, Lothe JB, Halas NJ, Rosnes MH, Holst B, Greve MM. Enhancing Silicon Solar Cell Performance Using a Thin-Film-like Aluminum Nanoparticle Surface Layer. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:324. [PMID: 38392697 PMCID: PMC10891793 DOI: 10.3390/nano14040324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Solar cells play an increasing role in global electricity production, and it is critical to maximize their conversion efficiency to ensure the highest possible production. The number of photons entering the absorbing layer of the solar cell plays an important role in achieving a high conversion efficiency. Metal nanoparticles supporting localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) have for years been suggested for increasing light in-coupling for solar cell applications. However, most studies have focused on materials exhibiting strong LSPRs, which often come with the drawback of considerable light absorption within the solar spectrum, limiting their applications and widespread use. Recently, aluminum (Al) nanoparticles have gained increasing interest due to their tuneable LSPRs in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum. In this study, we present an ideal configuration for maximizing light in-coupling into a standard textured crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cell by determining the optimal Al nanoparticle and anti-reflection coating (ARC) parameters. The best-case parameters increase the number of photons absorbed by up to 3.3%. We give a complete description of the dominating light-matter interaction mechanisms leading to the enhancement and reveal that the increase is due to the nanoparticles optically exhibiting both particle- and thin-film characteristics, which has not been demonstrated in earlier works.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam D Fjell
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - John Benjamin Lothe
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Naomi J Halas
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Mali H Rosnes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bodil Holst
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Martin M Greve
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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Lizunova AA, Malo D, Guzatov DV, Vlasov IS, Kameneva EI, Shuklov IA, Urazov MN, Ramanenka AA, Ivanov VV. Plasmon-Enhanced Ultraviolet Luminescence in Colloid Solutions and Nanostructures Based on Aluminum and ZnO Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4051. [PMID: 36432340 PMCID: PMC9696599 DOI: 10.3390/nano12224051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aluminum nanoparticles attract scientific interest as a promising low-cost material with strong plasmon resonance in the ultraviolet region, which can be used in various fields of photonics. In this paper, for the first time, ultraviolet luminescence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in colloid solutions and nanostructure films in the presence of plasmonic aluminum nanoparticles 60 nm in size with a metal core and an aluminum oxide shell were studied. Mixture colloids of ZnO and Al nanoparticles in isopropyl alcohol solution with concentrations from 0.022 to 0.44 g/L and 0.057 to 0.00285 g/L, correspondingly, were investigated. The enhancement of up to 300% of ZnO emission at 377 nm in colloids mixtures with metal nanoparticles due to formation of Al-ZnO complex agglomerates was achieved. Plasmon nanostructures with different configurations of layers, such as Al on the surface of ZnO, ZnO on Al, sandwich-like structure and samples prepared from a colloidal mixture of ZnO and Al nanoparticles, were fabricated by microplotter printing. We demonstrated that photoluminescence can be boosted 2.4-fold in nanostructures prepared from a colloidal mixture of ZnO and Al nanoparticles, whereas the sandwich-like structure gave only 1.1 times the amplification of luminescence. Calculated theoretical models of photoluminescence enhancement of ideal and weak emitters near aluminum nanoparticles of different sizes showed comparable results with the obtained experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Lizunova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Dana Malo
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Guzatov
- Physico-Technical Department, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, Ozheshko Str. 22, 230023 Grodno, Belarus
| | - Ivan S. Vlasov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Ekaterina I. Kameneva
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Ivan A. Shuklov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Maxim N. Urazov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Andrei A. Ramanenka
- B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Nezavisimosti Ave. 68-2, 220072 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Victor V. Ivanov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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Das CM, Kong KV, Yong KT. Diagnostic plasmonic sensors: opportunities and challenges. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:9573-9585. [PMID: 35975603 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03431j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The medical fraternity is currently burgeoned and stressed with a huge rush of patients who have inflammatory conditions, metabolite diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In these circumstances, advanced sensing technologies could have a huge impact on the quality of life of patients. Given plasmonic resonance effects significantly improve the ability to rapidly and accurately detect biological markers, plasmonic technology is harnessed to develop a fast and accurate diagnosis that can provide timely intervention with the diseases and can also aid the recovery process by complementing the therapy stage. In this short review, we provide an overlook of how the field of plasmonic sensing has revolutionized the field of medical diagnostics. This article reviews the fundamentals and development of plasmonics. In addition, we highlight the sensitivity of various SPR and LSPR sensors. The chemistry for functionalizing plasmonic sensors is also discussed. This review also outlines some general suggestions for future directions that we feel might be useful to advance our understanding of the universe or speed up the development of plasmonic sensors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandreyee Manas Das
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.,CINTRA CNRS/NTU/THALES, UMI 3288, Research Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, Border X Block, 637553, Singapore
| | - Kien Voon Kong
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. .,The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,The Biophotonics and MechanoBioengineering Lab, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Wu MJ, Wu SC, Shen TL, Liao YM, Chen YF. Anderson Localization Enabled Spectrally Stable Deep-Ultraviolet Laser Based on Metallic Nanoparticle Decorated AlGaN Multiple Quantum Wells. ACS NANO 2021; 15:330-337. [PMID: 33284594 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c04512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Random lasers exhibit many exotic properties, including chaotic behavior, light localization, broad angular emission, and cost-effective fabrication, which enable them to attract both scientific and industrial interests. However, before the realization of their potential applications, several challenges still remain including the underlying mechanism and controllability due to their inherent multidirectional and chaotic fluctuations. Through more than two decades of collaborative efforts, the discovery of Anderson localization in random lasers provides a plausible route to resolve the difficulties, which enables one to tailor the number of lasing modes and stabilize the emission spectra. However, the related studies are rather rare and only restricted to limited wavelengths. In this study, based on enhanced Anderson localization assisted by surface plasmon resonance, spectrally stable deep-ultraviolet lasing action in AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) is demonstrated. Our work serves as firm evidence to demonstrate the underlying mechanism of stabilized deep-ultraviolet random laser action that multiple scattering of a light beam in a disordered medium can induce Anderson localization similar to electron behavior. This feature covers the whole spectral range, and it is a universal phenomenon of an electromagnetic wave. Notably, stabilized deep-ultraviolet random laser action has not been demonstrated in all previous studies, even though it has great academic interest and potential application in many areas from environmental protection to biomedical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jer Wu
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Cheng Wu
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Lin Shen
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ming Liao
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Fang Chen
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Multipolar Plasmonic Resonances of Aluminum Nanoantenna Tuned by Graphene. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11010185. [PMID: 33451028 PMCID: PMC7828546 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We numerically investigate the multipolar plasmonic resonances of Aluminum nanoantenna tuned by a monolayer graphene from ultraviolet (UV) to visible regime. It is shown that the absorbance of the plasmonic odd modes (l = 1 and l = 3) of graphene-Al nanoribbon structure is enhanced while the absorption at the plasmonic even modes (l = 2) is suppressed, compared to the pure Al nanoribbon structure. With the presence of the monolayer graphene, a change in the resonance strength of the multipolar plasmonic modes results from the near field interactions of the monolayer graphene with the electric fields of the multipolar plasmonic resonances of the Al resonator. In particular, a clear absorption peak with a high quality (Q)-factor of 27 of the plasmonic third-order mode (l = 3) is realized in the graphene-Al nanoribbon structure. The sensitivity and figure of merit of the plasmonic third-order mode of the proposed Graphene-Al nanoribbon structure can reach 25 nm/RIU and 3, respectively, providing potential applications in optical refractive-index sensing.
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Havryliuk OO, Evtukh AA, Pylypova OV, Semchuk OY, Ivanov II, Zabolotnyi VF. Plasmonic enhancement of light to improve the parameters of solar cells. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13204-020-01299-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Rho WY, Lee KH, Han SH, Kim HY, Jun BH. Au-Embedded and Carbon-Doped Freestanding TiO 2 Nanotube Arrays in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Better Energy Conversion Efficiency. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E805. [PMID: 31766717 PMCID: PMC6953097 DOI: 10.3390/mi10120805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated with freestanding TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) which are incorporated with Au nanoparticles (NPs) and carbon materials via electrodeposition and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to create a plasmonic effect and better electron transport that will enhance their energy conversion efficiency (ECE). The ECE of DSSCs based on the freestanding TNTAs is 5.87%. The ECE of DSSCs, based on the freestanding TNTAs with Au NPs or carbon materials, is 6.57% or 6.59%, respectively, and the final results of DSSCs according to the freestanding TNTAs with Au NPs and carbon materials is increased from 5.87% to 7.24%, which is an enhancement of 23.34% owing to plasmonic effect and better electron transport. Au NPs are incorporated into the channel of freestanding TNTAs and are characterized by CS-corrected-field emission transmission electron microscope (Cs-FE-TEM) and elemental mapping. Carbon materials are also well-incorporated in the channel of freestanding TNTAs and are analyzed by Raman spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Yeop Rho
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (W.-Y.R.); (K.-H.L.); (S.-H.H.); (H.-Y.K.)
| | - Kang-Hun Lee
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (W.-Y.R.); (K.-H.L.); (S.-H.H.); (H.-Y.K.)
| | - Seung-Hee Han
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (W.-Y.R.); (K.-H.L.); (S.-H.H.); (H.-Y.K.)
| | - Hyo-Yeon Kim
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (W.-Y.R.); (K.-H.L.); (S.-H.H.); (H.-Y.K.)
| | - Bong-Hyun Jun
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
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Peter Amalathas A, Alkaisi MM. Nanostructures for Light Trapping in Thin Film Solar Cells. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10090619. [PMID: 31533261 PMCID: PMC6780776 DOI: 10.3390/mi10090619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thin film solar cells are one of the important candidates utilized to reduce the cost of photovoltaic production by minimizing the usage of active materials. However, low light absorption due to low absorption coefficient and/or insufficient active layer thickness can limit the performance of thin film solar cells. Increasing the absorption of light that can be converted into electrical current in thin film solar cells is crucial for enhancing the overall efficiency and in reducing the cost. Therefore, light trapping strategies play a significant role in achieving this goal. The main objectives of light trapping techniques are to decrease incident light reflection, increase the light absorption, and modify the optical response of the device for use in different applications. Nanostructures utilize key sets of approaches to achieve these objectives, including gradual refractive index matching, and coupling incident light into guided modes and localized plasmon resonances, as well as surface plasmon polariton modes. In this review, we discuss some of the recent developments in the design and implementation of nanostructures for light trapping in solar cells. These include the development of solar cells containing photonic and plasmonic nanostructures. The distinct benefits and challenges of these schemes are also explained and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalraj Peter Amalathas
- Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technická 2, 16627 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Maan M Alkaisi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
- MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
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On Modeling of Plasmon-Induced Enhancement of the Efficiency of Solar Cells Modified by Metallic Nano-Particles. NANOMATERIALS 2018; 9:nano9010003. [PMID: 30577518 PMCID: PMC6358994 DOI: 10.3390/nano9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that the direct application of numerical packets like Comsol to plasmonic effect in solar cells metallically modified in nano-scale may be strongly inaccurate if quantum corrections are neglected. The near-field coupling of surface plasmons in metallic nanoparticles deposited on the top of a solar cell with band electrons in a semiconductor substrate strongly enhances the damping of plasmons in metallic components, which is not accounted for in standard numerical packets using the Drude type dielectric function for metal (taken from measurements in bulk or in thin layers) as the prerequisite for the numerical e-m field calculus. Inclusion of the proper corrections to plasmon damping causes additional enhancement of the plasmon-induced photo-effect efficiency growth of a metalized photo-diode by ten percent, at least, in comparison to only effect induced by the electric field concentration near metallic nanoparticles. This happens to be consistent with the experimental observations which cannot be explained by only local increases of the electrical field near the curvature of metallic nanoparticles determined by a finite-element solution of the Maxwell⁻Fresnel boundary problem as given by a numerical system like Comsol. The proper damping rate for plasmons can be identified by application of the Fermi Golden Rule approach to the plasmon-band electron coupling. We demonstrate this effect including the material and size dependence in two types of solar cells, multi-crystalline Si and CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-diselenide) as idealized photo-diode semiconductor substrate modified by various metallic nano-particles, in comparison to the experimental data and Comsol simulation.
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Chen G, Ning Z, Ågren H. Nanostructured Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2016; 6:nano6080145. [PMID: 28335273 PMCID: PMC5224626 DOI: 10.3390/nano6080145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We are glad to announce the Special Issue "Nanostructured Solar Cells", published in Nanomaterials. This issue consists of eight articles, two communications, and one review paper, covering major important aspects of nanostructured solar cells of varying types. From fundamental physicochemical investigations to technological advances, and from single junction solar cells (silicon solar cell, dye sensitized solar cell, quantum dots sensitized solar cell, and small molecule organic solar cell) to tandem multi-junction solar cells, all aspects are included and discussed in this issue to advance the use of nanotechnology to improve the performance of solar cells with reduced fabrication costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanying Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
- Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Zhijun Ning
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Hans Ågren
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Biology, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10609 Stocholm, Sweden.
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