Photoabsorption-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell by using localized surface plasmon of silver nanoparticles modified with polymer

Photoelectric conversion efficiency (Eff) of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was improved by localized surface plasmon on silver (Ag) nanoparticles modified with polyacrylate-based comb-shaped block copolymer. The polymer-modified Ag nanoparticles were inserted into pores of a TiO2 film in a DSSC. Then, the characteristics of this photoabsorption enhanced DSSC (PE-DSSC) with the Ag nanoparticles were evaluated. To clarify the effect of Ag nanoparticles on the characteristics, the thickness of the TiO2 film in the DSSC was 2 μm, thinner than that for a typical DSSC (10 μm). A PE-DSSC showed an improved Eff of 2.5%, compared with about 1.5% for a DSSC with no Ag nanoparticles.