SYSTEMATIC FIELD APPLICATION OF ENHANCED PLASMONIC ORGANIC SOLAR CELL: AN OVERVIEW

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted considerable research interest due to their satisfactory properties including light-weight, low-cost, low-temperature fabrication process, semi-transparency and mechanical flexibility. Recent advances in OSCs have demonstrated above 10% efficiency in single-junction cells, indicating a strong competitiveness when compared with the commercial silicon photovoltaic system. To obtain maximum efficiency, there is a trade-off between light absorption and charge transport efficiency. Plasmonic light-trapping scheme is a feasible approach to maximize light absorption while maintaining charge transport efficiency. To give an overall look at the plasmonic organic solar cells, we review the recent progress on plasmonic-enhanced OSCs devices by integration with metal plasmonic enhancers, including both experimental and theoretical works. Among the varying proposed plasmonic structures, nano particles are preferable because of their strong scattering properties, particle size tunability, shape, and dielectric environment. In addition, design approaches based on plasmonics can be used to improve absorption in solar cells, permitting a considerable reduction in the physical thickness of solar cell absorber layers, and yielding novel options for solar-cell designs. Also, the simplicity in plasmonics preparation and integration methods is easily compatible with the standard solar cell fabrication process.