Aluminium nanoparticles synthesized by a novel wet chemical method and used to enhance the performance of polymer solar cells by the plasmonic effect

Abstract

To enhance the light harvesting of polymer solar cells (PSCs), amphipathic Al core and PPh₃ protective shell (Al@PPh₃) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by a simple and facile wet chemical process are incorporated into the anode buffer layer of the PTB7:PC₇₁BM blend PSCs. The optimized power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.29% is achieved, which is enhanced about 20% compared with the pristine device. It is attributed to the localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects of Al@PPh₃ NPs incorporated in the buffer layer and the light absorption of devices is enhanced.