Using solid-state materials with gold nanoantennas for more durable solar cells

Using solid-state materials with gold nanoantennas for more durable solar cells
A solid-state solar cell composed of titanium dioxide, nickel oxide, and gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles harvest light and provide a visible light response to the cell. Credit: Tomoya OSHIKIRI, Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University scientists are testing the development of solar cells made of solid materials to improve their ability to function under harsh environmental conditions.

Scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan are making leeway in the fabrication of all-solid-state that are highly durable and can efficiently convert sunlight into energy. The team employed a method called "", which allows scientists to control the deposit of very thin, uniform layers of materials on top of each other. Using this method, they deposited a thin film of nickel oxide onto a single crystal of titanium dioxide. Gold nanoparticles were introduced between the two layers to act like an antenna that harvests visible light.

The team tested the properties of these fabricated devices with and without an intermediary step following the deposition of that involves heating it to very high temperatures and then allowing it to slowly cool – a process called "annealing".

Photocurrent generation was successfully observed on the all-solid-state photoelectric conversion device. The device was found to be highly durable and stable because, unlike some solar cells, it does not contain organic components, which have a tendency to degrade over time and under harsh conditions.

The researchers also found that annealing affected the properties of the device by changing the interfacial structure of the layers. For example, it increased the voltage available from the device but also increased the resistance within it. It also decreased the device's efficiency in converting light to electricity. The results suggest that the structural changes caused by annealing prevent the layer of from injecting electrons into the layer.

The team's fabrication process is inexpensive and can be scaled up easily but the resultant device's properties are still insufficient for practical use and its efficiency in converting light to energy needs to be improved. Further research is needed to understand the roles of each layer in conducting energy to improve the device's efficiency.

More information: Properties of Plasmon-Induced Photoelectric Conversion on a TiO2/NiO p–n Junction with Au Nanoparticles, Keisuke Nakamura, Tomoya Oshikiri, Kosei Ueno, Yongming Wang, Yoshiomi Kamata, Yuki Kotake, Hiroaki Misawa, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2016, 7 (6), pp 1004–1009.

Citation: Using solid-state materials with gold nanoantennas for more durable solar cells (2016, May 25) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2016-05-solid-state-materials-gold-nanoantennas-durable.html
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