Analysis of Solar Cells Efficacy with Imbedded Layer of Spherical Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Abstract

The scattered sunlight absorption efficacy by a solar cell with imbedded layer of spherical plasmonic nanoparticles is simulated versus the parameters of the imbedded particles, the material they are made of, their density and location in the polymeric buffer layer inclusive. It was shown that the embedded plasmonic nanoparticles cause an increase of the relative efficacy of an organic solar cell with the P3HT:PCBM photosensitive layer and the PEDOT buffer layer of up to 10-20%. This increase depends also on the angle at which the sunlight shines the solar cell, which was also studied in detail.