Light absorption enhancement in organic solar cells with silver nanoparticles and silver meso-flowers

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles were used to increase the light absorption of an organic photovoltaic (OPV) device without altering its thickness. A blend of poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b]dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] and fullerene-C60 was utilized as an electron donor and electron acceptor respectively to fabricate the organic active layer. Direct incorporation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) at the bottom of the active layer improved light absorption, and Ag meso-flowers (MFs) showed good potential for plasmonic effects. The size of Ag NPs and MFs, controlled morphology, and nanoparticle position in active layers influenced the light absorption enhancement.