Plasmonic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in the Counter Electrode on the Enhanced Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

The plasmonic effects of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) with various morphologies (sphere, rod, and prism) embedded into the platinum (Pt) counter electrodes (CEs) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were systematically investigated. It was shown that the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the incorporated devices are notably improved from 7.60%, for the reference device without Ag NPs, to 8.10, 8.68, and 8.55% with Ag nanospheres, nanorods, and nanoprism devices, respectively. Moreover, the photocurrent and fill factor enhancement is attributed to the better optical and electrical properties of the integrated devices. Among all of the NP morphologies studied, Ag nanorods offer the best improvement to the device efficiency, as they have longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (L-LSPR) and strong scattering effects correlate within the morphology.

Broadband Plasmonic Enhancement of High-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Incorporating Au@Ag@SiO2 Core–Shell Nanocuboids

“…To date, several advantages of the LSPR-induced plasmonic enhancements, including increased light absorption, ,− promoted far-field light scattering, , and direct hot carriers involved in photocurrent generation, , are proposed to account for the improved solar energy utilization. These plasmonic contributions played crucial roles in diverse photovoltaic systems, particularly DSSCs. − …”

Dual-Polarity Switching in Self-Powered Ag/MoS2/Ag Photodetectors

“…The edge distortions might bring in substantial modulations in the surface polarization of charges and the plasmon resonance frequency of collective oscillations 50 under illumination. The possible LSPR response from the silver nanoparticles in the visible and NIR range due to multipole resonance [41][42][43]46 can facilitate a variation in resonance frequency due to uneven distribution of nanoprisms in the metal contacts, 33 and PSP with reduced amplitude in the NIR range, where particle size is significantly smaller than the wavelength of light. 34 Silver nanoparticles of varying sizes and shapes in silver electrodes with length scales (diameter of nanospheres, curvature radius, or edge length of prisms) comparable with the wavelength of incident light can induce a nonhomogeneous polarization of surface plasmons and hence produce multipole (dipole and quadrupole) SPR modes with band broadening and redshifts in the resonance frequency.…”

“…The first photoswitching is observed around 600 nm, and the second one around 1050 nm. The observed photoresponse of the device is attributed to LSPR response from Ag nanoparticles (metal contact) in the UV–visible range and NIR range of the incident light, − along with the narrow-band photodetection from a few layers of MoS 2 semiconductor in the visible – NIR range. ,,,, The difference in LSPR oscillations arises from the contacts and a considerably low potential barrier , available at the Ag-MoS 2 junction, facilitating the carrier movement (driving of charge) within the device under illumination, which makes the device a self-powered photodetector.…”

Plasmonic Effect in Photoelectrochemical Cells

“…The effect of plasmonic NP also can be observed when the NP is deposited at CE. The plasmonic effect of Ag NP with three different shapes (prism, sphere and rod) incorporated in Pt CE has been investigated by Ganeshan et al [52]. They found that the Ag nanorod embedded at Pt CE shows stronger LSPR effect and better scattering property.…”