Plasmonic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices based on poly (9-vinylcarbazole)/gold nanocomposites: effect of aspect ratio of gold nanorod

Abstract

A simple seeded growth method was employed to synthesize various aspect ratio gold (Au) nanorods and these nanorods were incorporated into a conducting polymer, poly (9-vinylcarbazole), PVK. A series of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic devices was fabricated using the nanocomposite materials as the active layer. A detailed investigation of device performance shows that the device parameters can be tuned by changing the aspect ratio of nanorods. A longer nanorod, provides larger scattering intensity, leading to a prolonged light transport path, thus increasing light absorption in the BHJ. Again, Au nanorods increase the shunt resistance and decrease the series resistance of the device that can lead to an increased value of open circuit voltage (V oc = 0.144-0.246 V). With increase in aspect ratio more percolation pathways form inside the active layer thus facilitating the transport of electrons and photocurrent as well. Present study shows that the photo conversion efficiency of a BHJ photovoltaic device was increased from 0.29 to 1.45 % with increasing the aspect ratio of Au nanorods from 2 to 3.5.

Ultrasmall gold nanorods: synthesis and glycocalyx-related permeability in human endothelial cells

“…In addition, our absorption spectrum and aspect ratio results agree with the maximum absorption peak wavelengths and aspect ratios reported by Nikoobakht and Feng, who obtained, for example, 700 nm for GNRs of 2.7 aspect ratio, 728 nm for GNRs of 3.4 aspect ratio, and 760 nm for GNRs of 3.9 aspect ratio. 30,48 Pegylation mitigates gNr toxicity At present, CTAB-based GNRs [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] are well known to be toxic. To address this issue, a few modifications have been incorporated into published CTAB-GNR synthesis protocols.…”

“…This work aimed to develop a nanoscale vehicle that would pass through the nanoporous endothelial GCX as it degrades and as its porosity increases. Towards this aim, we describe a new method to develop GNRs that, compared to previously published versions, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] are ultrasmall and better suited for GCX penetration. Further unlike many developers of nanoparticle drug delivery vehicles who have not carefully considered the GCX, we investigated GCX-mediated endothelial permeability to these GNRs.…”

“…Rod-shaped nanoparticles have the advantage of long axes that have large surface areas for enhanced interaction with the ECs on blood vessel walls ( Figure 1). 21 At present, the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based GNR synthesis protocols [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] produce GNRs with diameters that are too big for GCX-mediated permeability across the vessel wall. One common approach to GNR synthesis is the CTABmediated seed growth method used by Nikoobakht's and other research groups.…”

“…One common approach to GNR synthesis is the CTABmediated seed growth method used by Nikoobakht's and other research groups. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] This method utilizes CTAB solution and chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ). Combining these chemicals creates an Au(III)-CTAB complex, due to formation of an ion pair between the negatively charged AuCl 4 and the positive head groups of the CTAB micelles.…”

Plasmonic Hot Hole Generation by Interband Transition in Gold-Polyaniline

“…In all the three thin films, two peaks are present which are associated with the transverse and longitudinal plasmon resonances, and both the peaks get shifted depending upon the deposition conditions. The first peak is observed at 487 nm for PD1, 542 nm for PD2 and 595 nm for PD3 that is due to resonance of the transverse mode 14 15 16 17 . Similarly, resonance due to the longitudinal mode appears at 762 nm, 875 nm, and 956 nm for PD1, PD2 and PD3 respectively.…”