Homogeneous embedding of plasmonic gold nanoparticles on FTO substrate to increase efficiency in CdS0.75Se0.25 quantum dot sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Plasmonic solar cells are desirable because of their high efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to second-generation solar cells. In this research, the photoanode of cadmium chalcogenide quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) was modified by growing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) arrays on the Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) coated glass slide. To fabricate plasmonic nanoparticle arrays, the colloidal lithography technique applying monodisperse polymeric microspheres was used. A monolayer of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres, as a template, was deposited on the substrate using the gas–liquid interface deposition technique. Then, a thin film of Au with different thicknesses was deposited on the template using the magnetron sputtering method. After removing the polymeric template by calcination and chemical etching methods, homogeneous arrays of AuNPs remained on the FTO surface. Then, solar cells sensitized with ternary CdS_1-xSe_x quantum dots (QDs) were fabricated with the structure of FTO-AuNPs/TiO₂/CdS_1-xSe_x. Photovoltaic (PV) parameters were strengthened by increasing light absorption, electron extraction, and decreasing recombination rate (J_sc = 19.95 mA cm⁻², V_oc = 0.55 V, FF = 0.54).