Abnormal dewetting of Ag layer on three-dimensional ITO branches to form spatial plasmonic nanoparticles for organic solar cells

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) plasmonic structures have attracted great attention because abnormal wetting behavior of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) on 3D nanostructure can enhance the localized surface plasmons (LSPs). However, previous 3D plasmonic nanostructures inherently had weak plasmonic light absorption, low electrical conductivity, and optical transmittance. Here, we fabricated a novel 3D plasmonic nanostructure composed of Ag NPs as the metal for strong LSPs and 3D nano-branched indium tin oxide (ITO BRs) as a transparent and conductive framework. The Ag NPs formed on the ITO BRs have a more dewetted behavior than those formed on the ITO films. We experimentally investigated the reasons for the dewetting behavior of Ag NPs concerning the geometry of ITO BRs. The spherical Ag NPs are spatially separated and have high density, thereby resulting in strong LSPs. Finite-domain time-difference simulation evidenced that spatially-separated, high-density and spherical Ag NPs formed on ITO BRs dramatically boost the localized electric field in the active layer of organic solar cells (OSCs). Photocurrent of PTB7:PCBM OSCs with the ITO BRs/Ag NPs increased by 14%.

Elucidating the effect of Ag interlayer formation on the intrinsic mechanical properties of free-standing ITO/Ag/ITO thin films

“…The low-temperature diffusion of the island-type Ag interlayer is accelerated by the small size of Ag nuclei. 47,48 Based on our observations of the AI films, we can conclude that IAI(8) contains isolated Ag islands, IAI(12–14) contains a film-like Ag interlayer, and IAI(25–50) contains a continuous Ag film interlayer.…”

Three-Dimensional Cu-Based Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting and Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction

“…A thin Cu layer deposited on vertically aligned CuO NWs was formed in particle-like shape due to the shadowing effect and line tension. 50 Then, CuO b-NWs were prepared by chemical precipitation of the Cu seed NPs (Figure 1g). As the chemical precipitation proceeded, Cu 2+ ions were supplied from the Cu seed NPs, and they transformed to CuO branches.…”

“…Furthermore, to form the branches on the sidewall of the CuO NWs, Cu seed NPs were deposited using electron-beam evaporation (Figure f). A thin Cu layer deposited on vertically aligned CuO NWs was formed in particle-like shape due to the shadowing effect and line tension . Then, CuO b-NWs were prepared by chemical precipitation of the Cu seed NPs (Figure g).…”

Conversion of Biomasses and Copper into Catalysts for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…49 In addition, the enhanced charge transfer can be confirmed by the weaker photoluminescence signal due to lower charge recombination (Figure S20). 50 The migration of electrons from HTCC to Cu is greatly beneficial to enhance the charge separation in the photocatalytic system. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra (TAS) were recorded to investigate the charge carrier dynamics of HTCC and Cu-HTCC.…”