Using plasmonics and nanoparticles to enhance the efficiency of solar cells: review of latest technologies

Abstract

With the advances in the field of plasmonics, techniques for trapping and localizing light have become more feasible at the nanoscale. Several works have shown that plasmonics-based photovoltaic devices have yielded an improved absorption capability, enabling the design of thin-layered photovoltaic absorbers. In this review, we shed light on recent advances that employ plasmonics and nano-sized structures and thin-film technologies intended to increase solar cell efficiency. In this work, we provide an overview of the challenges associated with developing high-efficiency solar cells. Despite significant efforts by numerous groups to improve the efficiency of solar cells, practical realization of these concepts has yet to materialize. The conclusions made here hope to encourage researchers to re-examine the factors and challenges that could have created barriers to full realization of all concepts proposed over the past 15 years. In fact, because of the immense impact of improving the efficiency of solar cells on the environment and economy, it is hoped that this review encourages new technology paradigms that can be translated into commercially viable products.

Rotational freedom thin‐film solar cell using a reconfigurable nano‐antenna with 4‐Dimethyl‐Amino‐N‐methyl‐4‐Stilbazolium Tosylate

“…Solar energy is the best candidate for solving the energy crisis, and environmental problems include increasing temperature and less significant rainfalls preventing carbon dioxide generation [1][2][3]. Recently, thin-film solar cells have attracted considerable attention due to their low cost, light-weight, and mechanically flexible ability [4][5][6].…”

Solar cell design using graphene-based hollow nano-pillars

“…For this purpose, different geometrical and material combinations have been proposed, only some of them covering the whole spectrum. For instance, the relatively poor absorption efficiency of thin-film solar cells is the consequence of the indirect bandgap of silicon, where surface plasmon resonances of metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance it 2 , 3 . In these solar cells, prolonged action of air and moisture affect the photocurrent generation due to the formation of oxide layers on metallic particles 4 .…”

Study of ultrathin‐film amorphous silicon solar cell performance using photonic and plasmonic nanostructure

“…Past few decades, the combination of dielectric and metallic nanostructures showed significant optical performance in the solar cell device because of omnidirectional scattering, guided modes, and coupling the incident light into the absorber region such as nanoparticles, nanogratings, nanoshells, substrates, etc. [1][2][3][4] Particularly, the nanogratings can enhance the light absorption by the factor of 4n 2 (n-refractive index of the medium) by changing higher diffraction angles of incidence light and coupling the guided modes. 5 The performance of nanostructures has been changed by the reason of enhanced percentage of surface at minuscule.…”