Enhancing the Photocurrent of Top-Cell by Ellipsoidal Silver Nanoparticles: Towards Current-Matched GaInP/GaInAs/Ge Triple-Junction Solar Cells

Light-induced thermoosmosis about conducting ellipsoidal nanoparticles

We consider the central problem of a non-spherical (ellipsoidal) polarizable (metallic) nanoparticle freely suspended in a conducting liquid phase which is irradiated (heated) by a laser under the Rayleigh (electrostatic) approximation. It is shown that, unlike the case of perfectly symmetric (spherical) particles, the surface temperature of general orthotropic particles exposed to continuous laser irradiation is not uniform! Thus, the induced surface slip (Soret type) velocity may lead to a self-induced thermoosmotic flow (sTOF) about the particle, in a similar manner to the electroosmotic flow driven by the Helmholtz—Smoluchowski slippage. Using the recent advancement in the theory of Lamé functions and ellipsoidal harmonics, we analytically present new solutions for two key physical problems. (i) Heat conduction and temperature distribution inside and outside a conducting laser-irradiated homogeneous tri-axial ellipsoid which is subjected to uniform Joule heating. (ii) Creeping (Stokes) sTOF around a fixed impermeable metallic ellipsoidal nanoparticle driven by a Soret-type surface slip velocity (i.e. proportional to the surface-temperature gradient).

Nanostructured Solar Cells

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.