Plasmonics for Enhanced Power Conversion Efficiencies in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

The results of the very simplified integration of AgNPs with different diameter sizes (40 nm, 80 nm and 120 nm) within the porous TiO2 layer of DSSCs was demonstrated. The silver nanoparticle clusters (AgNPs) improve the values of Open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and efficiency of conversion ( ). The plasmonic effect as observed by introducing AgNPs with 40 nm in DSSC produces higher performance with JSC of 0.035 mAcm-2, VOC of 0.420 V, FF of 0.430, yielding η of 0.0064 %. These results are due to enhanced light absorption of the dye in strength and spectral range from the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of the metallic silver nanoparticles. The improved charge transport also increases the value of Jsc and reduces the resistance. The mechanism of getting the best utilization efficiency is also discussed.