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Plasmon-Enhanced Light Trapping to Improve Efficiency of TiO2 Nanorod-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

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Abstract

Localized surface plasmon resonance incurred by silver nanoparticles is used to enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency of a TiO2 nanorod-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Improved light transmission is observed experimentally in silver nanoparticle-coated FTO glass. The transmission data are used to explore the effect on electrical parameters of DSSC using theoretical model. Current density increased from 11.7 to 12.34 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage increased from 704 to 709.5 mV. Overall efficiency enhancement of 6.67 % is observed in TiO2 nanorod-based DSSC due to plasmon-induced light trapping.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge that a part of the reported work (characterization) was carried out at the CEN, IITB under INUP at IITB which have been sponsored by DIT, MCIT, Government of India. They also acknowledge Dr. Utpal S. Joshi, Department of Physics, Electronic & Space Science, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India for AFM characterization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science, School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, 382007, India

    Brijesh Tripathi & Manoj Kumar

  2. School of Solar Energy, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, 382007, India

    Brijesh Tripathi & Pankaj Yadav

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  1. Brijesh Tripathi
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  2. Pankaj Yadav
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  3. Manoj Kumar
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Correspondence to Manoj Kumar.

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Tripathi, B., Yadav, P. & Kumar, M. Plasmon-Enhanced Light Trapping to Improve Efficiency of TiO2 Nanorod-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Plasmonics 8, 1501–1507 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-013-9564-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-013-9564-4

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