IGERT Story
Researchers use tiny gold particles to boost organic solar cell efficiency
Description
In the world of solar energy, organic photovoltaic solar cells have a wide range of potential applications, but they are still considered an upstart. While these carbon-based cells, which use organic polymers or small molecules as semiconductors, are much thinner and less expensive to produce than conventional solar cells made with inorganic silicon wafers, they still lag behind in their ability to efficiently convert sunlight into electricity.
Now, UCLA researchers and their colleagues from China and Japan have shown that by incorporating gold nanoparticles into these organic photovoltaics – taking advantage of the plasmonic effect, by which metal helps to enhance the absorption of sunlight – they can significantly improve the cells’ power conversion.
