Abstract
The use of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is widespread owing to their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and low cost of manufacturing. We prepared multi-shaped Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and introduced them into DSSCs to further enhance their PCE. The maximum absorption wavelength of the multi-shaped Ag NPs is 420 nm, including the shoulder with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 121 nm. This is a broad absorption wavelength compared to spherical Ag NPs, which have a maximum absorption wavelength of 400 nm without the shoulder of 61 nm FWHM. Therefore, when multi-shaped Ag NPs with a broader plasmon-enhanced absorption were coated on a mesoporous TiO2 layer on a layer-by-layer structure in DSSCs, the PCE increased from 8.44% to 10.22%, equivalent to an improvement of 21.09% compared to DSSCs without a plasmonic layer. To confirm the plasmon-enhanced effect on the composite film structure in DSSCs, the PCE of DSSCs based on the composite film structure with multi-shaped Ag NPs increased from 8.58% to 10.34%, equivalent to an improvement of 20.51% compared to DSSCs without a plasmonic layer. This concept can be applied to perovskite solar cells, hybrid solar cells, and other solar cells devices.
Highlights
In the near future, we predict that photovoltaic cells will be utilized in numerous fields, such as in mobile commerce or in the development of integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) and vehicles
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) whose structure consists of a photoanode (organic dye and mesoporous TiO2 films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass), electrolyte, and a counter-electrode (platinum (Pt)-coated FTO glass) are used widely because of their strengths [1,2,3]
We synthesized multi-shaped Ag NPs with broad plasmon-enhanced absorption and applied them to DSSCs based on N719 dye
Summary
We predict that photovoltaic cells will be utilized in numerous fields, such as in mobile commerce or in the development of integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) and vehicles. To realistically apply solar energy in Smart Grids, photovoltaic cells are required to have features including transparency, flexibility, light weight, low cost, and high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Plasmonic materials could assist in absorbing more light from subwavelength antennas or in generating plasmon polaritons from incident light by trapping light energy on metal nanoparticles (NPs) or scattering the light. For this reason, the PCE would be improved due to increases in the short-circuit current density (Jsc) in solar cells. When plasmonic metal NPs are applied to the DSSCs, light-harvesting or carrier collection can be improved with a minimal negative impact on other material properties [13,14,15]. To study the plasmon-enhanced effect of the multi-shaped Ag NPs, the multi-shaped Ag NPs were applied in a layer-by-layer structure and in a composite film structure on DSSCs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
