Enhanced performance of polymer solar cells using selective silver nanocrystal morphology

Abstract

Localized-surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of nanoscale particles (NPs) has been widely used for the enhancement of light-harvesting capability and current density in solar cells. Here, the LSPR was modulated through selective plasmon nanocrystals (NCs) with tuning the morphology (size and interparticle-spacing) using thermal evaporation. The selective NCs were implemented between the hole-transport layer and front anode contact in polymer solar cells (PSCs) to dramatically improve the short-circuit-current density and power-conversion efficiency by + 31.04 and + 32.02%, respectively. The photovoltaic enhancements were reflected by the significant increase in external quantum efficiency (+ 38%) and a decrease in optical losses (- 26%). Such promising results, together with the simple, controllable, and scalable preparation method, can pave the way for highly efficient plasmonic PSCs.