Plasmonic Cu<sub><i>x</i></sub>In<sub><i>y</i></sub>S<sub>2</sub> Quantum Dots Make Better Photovoltaics
Than Their Nonplasmonic Counterparts
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Abstract
A synthetic approach has recently
been developed which results
in Cu<sub><i>x</i></sub>In<sub><i>y</i></sub>S<sub>2</sub> quantum dots (QDs) possessing localized surface plasmon resonance
(LSPR) modes in the near-infrared (NIR) frequencies. In this study, we investigate the potential benefits of
near-field plasmonic effects centered upon light absorbing nanoparticles
in a photovoltaic system by developing and verifying nonplasmonic
counterparts as an experimental control. Simple QD-sensitized solar
cells (QD-SSCs) were assembled which show an 11.5% relative increase
in incident photon conversion efficiency (IPCE) achieved in the plasmon-enhanced
devices. We attribute this increase in IPCE to augmented charge excitation
stemming from near-field “antenna” effects in the plasmonic
Cu<sub><i>x</i></sub>In<sub><i>y</i></sub>S<sub>2</sub> QD-SSCs. This study represents the first of its kind; direct
interrogation of the influence of plasmon-on-semiconductor architectures
with respect to excitonic absorption in photovoltaic systems