SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON CONDUCTING ELECTRODE AS PLASMONIC SCATTERING NANOMATERIAL AND RELATED PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

摘要

A plasmonic scattering nanomaterial comprising a substrate layer, a metal oxide layer in continuous contact with the substrate layer and silver nanoparticles with a diameter of 25-300 nm deposited on the metal oxide layer is disclosed. The silver nanoparticles have a broad size distribution and interparticle distances such that the silver nanoparticles plasmonically scatter light throughout the metal oxide layer with a near electric field strength of 1-30 V/m when excited by a light source having a wavelength in the range of 300-500 nm and/or 1000-1200 nm. In addition, a method for producing the nanomaterial by sputter deposition is disclosed as well as an appropriate thin film plasmonic solar cell comprising the nanomaterial with a solar efficiency of at least 10%.

主权项

1. A plasmonic scattering nanomaterial, comprising:
a substrate layer; a metal oxide layer in continuous contact with the substrate layer; and silver nanoparticles with a diameter of 25-300 nm deposited on the metal oxide layer; wherein the silver nanoparticles plasmonically scatter light throughout the metal oxide layer when excited by light having a wavelength in the range of 300-500 nm or 1000-1200 nm; and wherein the silver nanoparticles have a near electric field strength of 1-30 V/m when excited by light having a wavelength in the range of 300-500 nm or 1000-1200 nm.