Silver decorated magnesium doped photoactive layer for improved collection of photo‐generated current in polymer solar cell

Abstract

Silver doped magnesium (Ag:Mg) bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) were successfully synthesized using wet chemical processing. The collection of enhanced photocurrents is possible through metal nanoparticles in the photoactive layer of a thin‐film organic solar cell (TFOSC). This investigation employed poly‐3‐hexylthiophene(P3HT) and [6‐6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) polymer blend solar absorbers in a conventional device structure. The solar cell performances were found to depend on the concentration of Ag:Mg BMNPs in the photoactive medium. Consequently, significant device performance was recorded for the solar cells containing Ag:Mg BMNPs at all doping levels compared to the un‐doped devices. Therefore, the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.11% was achieved at a 1.5 wt% doping level with a high fill factor of 56% compared to the reference cell. The performance improvement in PCE constitutes a 79% improvement, which is much higher than undoped solar cells. This result was attributed to the occurrence of the localized surface plasmon resonance effect (LSPR), which is favorable for boosting the optical absorption and charge transport processes in TFOSC.

Enhancing the Performance of Wide-Bandgap Polymer-Based Organic Solar Cells through Silver Nanorod Integration

“…However, the increment in J SC was found to be maximum at the optimum concentration of 1 wt % Ag-NRs, which was found to decrease as the concentration was increased further to 1.5 wt %. This decrease might be a result of the formation of highly agglomerated NPs that might impede charge percolation, which could promote high charge-carrier recombination. , It should still be noted here that the J SC value of the device in which 1.5 wt % Ag-NRs are embedded (12.21 mA/cm 2 ) is still higher than that of the reference device (11.92 mA/cm 2 ), mainly due to the improved light trapping by scattering.…”

“…Consequently, improved PCEs are expected in OSCs fabricated from wide-bandgap polymers in which optimized amounts of Ag-NRs are embedded. 23,24 J−V Characteristics for OSC Devices. To investigate the role of plasmonic enhancement in the performance of OSCs by Ag-NRs, devices with an inverted structure, i.e., ITO/ZnO/ PIDTT-BTz:PC 71 BM:Ag-NRs(%)/MoO 3 /Al, were fabricated by embedding different concentrations of Ag-NRs (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt %) in the active layer.…”

“…This result indicates the advantages of the rod-like shape over the commonly used spherical NPs to improve the absorbance of wide bandgap-based OSCs. Consequently, improved PCEs are expected in OSCs fabricated from wide-bandgap polymers in which optimized amounts of Ag-NRs are embedded. , …”

Advances in Organic Photovoltaic Cells: Fine‐Tuning of the Photovoltaic Processes

“…There are several ways that are reported to improve light absorption within OPVs such as light trapping capabilities, increasing the range of absorption spectrum, and adjusting the light absorption ability. [41] Ahmed et al [42] introduced different concentration of silverdoped magnesium (Ag:Mg) bimetallic nanoparticles in the P3HT:PCBM active layer to improve light absorption (shown in Figure 1B). The UV-vis absorption spectrum of the active layer showed an increase in absorption over the wavelength range from 350 to 900 nm for Ag:Mg bimetallic nanoparticles concentration of 1.5% (see Figure 1C).…”

“…B) The architecture for Ag:Mg bimetallic nanoparticles incorporated in P3HT:PCBM device. Reproduced with permission [42]. Copyright 2023, John Wiley & Sons-Books.…”