Optically Tunable Plasmonic Two-Dimensional Ag Quantum Dot Arrays for Optimal Light Absorption in Polymer Solar Cells

Abstract

The application of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomena is an effective strategy to enhance the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs) because of their ability to efficiently scatter light and dramatically increase light absorption in the active layer of PSCs. Unlike previous reports investigating LSPR materials in PSCs, we have approached the LSPR phenomenon from a physical perspective by examining the influence of the surrounding environment on LSPR properties. Uniformly ordered two-dimensional 10 nm Ag quantum dot arrays (2D Ag QAs) were prepared and utilized in PSCs. The 2D Ag QAs were incorporated into electron transport layers with different refractive indices, which showed a significant bathochromic shift as the refractive index increased and excellent agreement with theoretical calculations taking intrinsic size effects, nonlocal response, and plasmon coupling effects into account. When incorporated into PSCs, power conversion efficiencies of up to 8.51% were realized—a 12.5% en...