Size- and density-controlled deposition of Ag nanoparticle films by a novel low-temperature spray chemical vapour deposition method—research into mechanism, particle growth and optical simulation

Abstract

Ag nanoparticles have attracted interest for plasmonic absorption enhancement of solar cells.For this purpose well-defined particle sizes and densities as well as very low deposition temperatures are required. Thus, we report here a new spray chemical vapour deposition method for producing Ag NP films with independent size and density control at substrate temperatures even below 100 °C which is much lower than for many other techniques. This method can be used on different substrates to deposit Ag NP films. It is a reproducible, low-cost process which uses Trimethylphosphine (hexafluoroacetylacetonato) silver as precursor in alcoholic solution. By systematic variation of deposition parameters and classic experiments, mechanisms of particle growth and of deposition processes as well as the low decomposition temperature of the precursor could be explained. Using the 3D finite element method, absorption spectra of selected samples were simulated which fitted well with the measured results. Hence, further applications of such Ag NP films for generating plasmonic near field can be predicted by the simulation.

Review on light management by nanostructures in chalcopyrite solar cells

“…The nanoparticles form directly on the substrate, unifying nanoparticle growth and deposition in a single process step, yet with improved control over size and density. Recently, a low temperature process for deposition of Ag nanoparticles from Ag(hfacac)PMe 3 (hfacac: hexafluoroacetylacetona) precursor was shown with substrate temperatures as low as 80 °C [46]. The solvent involved is just ethanol and compatible with CIGSe solar cells.…”

Nonlocal Hydrodynamic Model with Viscosive Damping and Generalized Drude–Lorentz Term

“…Relations ( 19) and ( 20) hold for the incident plane wave, see Figure 1, and its electric and magnetic components, respectively. The electric and magnetic fields and the induced current density inside the particle can be determined by Equations ( 21)- (23). Similar to the incident field around the particle, relations for the scattered field can be established in the form of Equation ( 24) for the electric field and (25) for the magnetic field.…”

“…The demand for accuracy in description, and thus the relevance of simulations derived from them, increases in parallel with the growing technological capabilities of preparations of nanostructures and nanostructured surfaces [21][22][23]. As an example, sensor applications based on SERS technology can be mentioned, where the sensitivity of the sensor relies on the amplification of the field at the specifically designed site where the binding of the detected molecule is intended to occur.…”