Chapter 3
Plasmonically Enhanced Dye-Sensitized
Solar Cells
Michael B. Ross, Martin G. Blaber and George C. Schatz
Abstract The unique absorption and scattering properties of metallic (typically
silver or gold) nanoscale structures are dominated by their localized surface plasmon
resonances, leading to strongly confined electromagnetic fields and unprecedented
control over light at the nanoscale. The scattering properties of metal nanoparticles
have recently been used to trap light within thin film inorganic solar cell devices to
increase the effective optical density of the absorbing layer. Enhanced local fields
have been utilized to enhance the photo-absorption cross-section of dye molecules
in dye-sensitized solar cells. Here we will review the current state of the art in
plasmon-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells and comment on the challenges that
must be addressed for the realization of next generation devices.
Keywords Surface plasmon · Photovoltaics · Solar cells
Acronyms
DSSC Dye-sensitized solar cell
FTO Fluorine doped Tin Oxide
LSPR Localized surface plasmon resonance
NIR
Near infrared
PV
Photovoltaic
UV
Ultraviolet
M. B. Ross · M. G. Blaber · G. C. Schatz (B)
Department of Chemistry, and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern
University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
e-mail: schatz@chem.northwestern.edu
T. V. Shahbazyan and M. I. Stockman (eds.), Plasmonics: Theory and Applications,
125
Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry and Physics 15,
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7805-4_3, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Plasmonically Enhanced Dye-Sensitized
Solar Cells
Michael B. Ross, Martin G. Blaber and George C. Schatz
Abstract The unique absorption and scattering properties of metallic (typically
silver or gold) nanoscale structures are dominated by their localized surface plasmon
resonances, leading to strongly confined electromagnetic fields and unprecedented
control over light at the nanoscale. The scattering properties of metal nanoparticles
have recently been used to trap light within thin film inorganic solar cell devices to
increase the effective optical density of the absorbing layer. Enhanced local fields
have been utilized to enhance the photo-absorption cross-section of dye molecules
in dye-sensitized solar cells. Here we will review the current state of the art in
plasmon-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells and comment on the challenges that
must be addressed for the realization of next generation devices.
Keywords Surface plasmon · Photovoltaics · Solar cells
Acronyms
DSSC Dye-sensitized solar cell
FTO Fluorine doped Tin Oxide
LSPR Localized surface plasmon resonance
NIR
Near infrared
PV
Photovoltaic
UV
Ultraviolet
M. B. Ross · M. G. Blaber · G. C. Schatz (B)
Department of Chemistry, and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern
University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
e-mail: schatz@chem.northwestern.edu
T. V. Shahbazyan and M. I. Stockman (eds.), Plasmonics: Theory and Applications,
125
Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry and Physics 15,
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7805-4_3, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013