Enhancing the device performance of Sb2S3-sensitized heterojunction solar cells by embedding Au nanoparticles in the hole-conducting polymer layer

Abstract

Performance of Sb2S3-sensitized heterojunction solar cells is enhanced by embedding Au nanoparticles in the poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) hole-conducting polymer layer. The improved charge transfer/transport at the Sb2S3/P3HT/Au interface by extended interface area of the P3HT/Au counter electrode and the re-absorption of the backscattering light from the embedded Au nanoparticles enhanced the device performance: J(sc) 11.0 to 12.8 mA cm(-2), V-oc 606 to 626 mV, fill factor (FF) 60.5 to 61.2%, and power conversion efficiency (eta) 4.0 to 4.9%. Simultaneous enhancement of V-oc, J(sc), and FF in Au nanoparticle-embedded systems is mainly attributed to the improved charge collection efficiency and light harvesting efficiency of Sb2S3 due to the improved charge transfer/transport in the Sb2S3/P3HT/Au interface