Enhanced efficiency of polymer solar cells by incorporated Ag–SiO₂core–shell nanoparticles in the active layer

Abstract

In this article, we creatively incorporated Ag-SiO 2 core-shell nanoparticles (Ag-SiO 2 -NPs) into photo-/ electro-active layers consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in polymer solar cells (PSCs). By this way, the photovoltaic performances of PSCs have largely been enhanced. The results demonstrate a 13.50% enhancement of short-circuit photocurrent density (J sc ) and a 15.11% enhancement of power conversion efficiency (PCE) as the weight percent of doped Ag-SiO 2 -NPs is 1.5 wt% in the active layer of corresponding PSCs. We attribute the enhancement to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag-SiO 2 -NPs, by which the incident light harvesting is enlarged. Whereas, the incorporated bare Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in the active layer of PSCs decreases the PCE, which is ascribed to the quenching of excitons at the surface of Ag-NPs and the poor dispersion of Ag-NPs in the active layer. Importantly, this work provides a new approach to enhance the performance of PSCs via the LSPR effect of Ag-SiO 2 -NPs other than via non-circular nanometals.

Photoluminescence Quenching and Enhanced Optical Conductivity of P3HT-Derived Ho3+-Doped ZnO Nanostructures

“…There are plenty of works in the literature related to hybrid-based polymer heterostructures containing inorganic nanostructures [ 3 , 12 – 17 ]. Several research groups which worked on P3HT-ZnO heterostructures devoted their focus on various aspects such as power conversion efficiency (PCE) enhancement [ 7 , 18 ], morphology, structural properties, exciton generation, thermal properties, photoexcitation, and charge dynamic [ 19 – 21 ].…”

Simple solution-processed CuOX as anode buffer layer for efficient organic solar cells

“…The schematic structure of OSCs with CuOX as the anode buffer layer, the chemical structure of P3HT and PBDTTT-C and the HOMO and LUMO energy level of materials involved in OSCs. solutions were spin-coated at 4000 rpm for 30 s and then annealed at 160 • C for 20 min and 1 h to form anode buffer layers, respectively [33]. The thickness of PEDOT: PSS layer is about 40 nm, and the CuO X thickness is too thin (<5 nm), which can't be accurate detected by the Veeco Dektak 150 surface profiler.…”

Interfacial Effect of Novel Core–Triple Shell Structured Au@SiO2@Ag@SiO2 with Ultrathin SiO2 Passivation Layer between the Metal Interfaces on Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Moreover, the interfacial problem of ubiquitous crystal defect on bare metal nanoparticles causes the high photoinduced electron surface recombination velocity, which greatly limits their applications . Therefore, the core–shell structure as the efficiently solution is utilized to restrain corrosion and the recombination of photo carriers, which broadens the scope of their applications in solar cells, such as Au@SiO 2 , Au@TiO 2 , Ag@SiO 2 , Ag@TiO 2 . Compared with single metal nanoparticles (Au or Ag), their hybrid structures (Au@Ag, Ag@Au) have much stronger and more sensitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) responses, which make them more competitive in enhancing the efficiency of photoelectric conversion system, plasmonic sensing and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering applications.…”