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A multitude of applications is related to the unique properties of absorption, scattering, and plasmon-enhanced phenomena of metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The aqueous colloidal-based synthesis of MNPs is used more widely as it allows precise shape and size control. However, for various applications, it is required to have the MNPs in an organic solvent or polymer that is compatible with the MNPs. This work establishes a protocol from the synthesis to the phase transfer process of gold nanorods and gold core silver shell nanocuboids (Au@Ag NCs) in dichloromethane. Subsequent dispersion in a polymer (silicone encapsulant polymer) is achieved while retaining the MNPs’ plasmonic properties. Au@Ag NCs have not been transferred to an organic solvent to date due to their unique shape and instability in the organic phase. The established protocol is reproducible, and MNPs were found to be stable for up to a year in the polymer. Qualitative and quantitative validation of the experimental results is achieved on MNP concentration by a model based on the finite difference time domain method. Using the model, the concentration of MNPs in nanocomposite can be determined.

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Plasmonic luminescent solar concentrators (PLSCs) have been shown to enhance the optical performance and power conversion efficiency of LSCs, due to added plasmonic gain in the medium. Despite the promising outlook of a PLSC through plasmonic coupling, device characterization and performance have not been verified in the real outdoor conditions, with varying direct and diffuse solar irradiation. In this work, characterization of a PLSC device of dimensions 4.5 × 4.5 × 0.3 cm 3 embedded with Lumogen Red 305 dye and plasmonic gain medium of gold core silver shell nano cuboids was carried out in outdoor conditions of Dublin, Ireland. Optimized PLSC device power output at different solar insolation was compared to a reference photovoltaic (PV) cell and an optimized luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) device. The effect of the solar disc position, solar insolation, PV cell surface temperature, diurnal, and seasonal variation on the performance of the PLSC device is studied. The key observation was that PLSC average power conversion efficiency was 1.4 times more than the PV cell in cloudy and diffuse solar conditions. The PLSC device performed 45% better than a PV cell in December than July, as December has higher diffuse solar irradiation. Even though the PLSC device absorbs only 31% and transmits 69% incident solar irradiation in the concerned visible range of 380-750 nm. The preliminary outdoor characterization on a small-scale PLSC establishes its viability in a diffuse to direct solar radiation ratio throughout the year as well as establishing its benefits for integration in buildings.