Recent Advances of Plasmonic Organic Solar Cells: Photophysical Investigations

Abstract

Abstract:The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of metallic nanomaterials, such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag), has been extensively exploited to improve the optical absorption, the charge carrier transport, and the ultimate device performances in organic photovoltaic cells (OPV). With the incorporation of diverse metallic nanostructures in active layers, buffer layers, electrodes, or between adjacent layers of OPVs, multiple plasmonic mechanisms may occur and need to be distinguished to better understand plasmonic enhancement. Steady-state photophysics is a powerful tool for unraveling the plasmonic nature and revealing plasmonic mechanisms such as the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), the propagating plasmon-polariton (SPP), and the plasmon-gap mode. Furthermore, the charge transfer dynamics in the organic semiconductor materials can be elucidated from the transient photophysical investigations. In this review article, the basics of the plasmonic mechanisms and the related metallic nanostructures are briefly introduced. We then outline the recent advances of the plasmonic applications in OPVs emphasizing the linkage between the photophysical properties, the nanometallic geometries, and the photovoltaic performance of the OPV devices.

Coatings in Photovoltaic Solar Energy Worldwide Research

“…[53] was cited 369 but its node is large because it relates to major nodes. The review that was carried out by Gan et al [43] proposes incorporating plasmonic nanostructures in the front and rear metal electrodes of an OSC, which is expected to reach broadband, polarization, and absorption independent of the angle, and this implies the possibility of exceeding 10% power conversion efficiency. Tvingstedt et al [44] analyzes the use of micro lens to increase the capture of light and, thereby, improves the absorption rate of the solar cell.…”

Prospects of Coupled Organic–Inorganic Nanostructures for Charge and Energy Transfer Applications

“…Consequently, the excited plasmon mode is lossy and fast decaying (femtosecond range). [146,147] Recent advances in photovoltaics [83] and photocatalysis [148] are based on these absorption processes in metals.…”

Electrodeposited Gold Nanostructures for the Enhancement of Electrochromic Properties of PANI–PEDOT Film Deposited on Transparent Electrode

“…Gold nanostructures (AuNS) can be electrodeposited on the surface of various electrodes [23], wherein the morphology of deposited AuNS could be easily controlled to some extent by choosing deposition conditions, such as synthesis time, electrode potential, and the composition of the synthesis solution [24]. It is well known that optical and electrochemical properties depend on the size and morphology of AuNS [25].…”