Study of the plasmon energy transfer processes in dye sensitized solar cells

We report plasmon enhanced absorption in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) over a broad wavelength range. 45% enhancement in the power conversion efficiency is observed with the inclusion of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (NPs). Photocurrent spectra show enhancement over the entire dye absorption range from 450 nm to 700 nm, as well as in the near infrared (NIR) region above 700 nm due to the strong plasmon-induced electric fields produced by the gold NPs. The plasmon-induced electric field distribution of the island-like gold film is also investigated using finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) calculations. Furthermore, photoluminescence spectra are performed in order to rule out the mechanism of plasmon energy transfer through Forster resonance energy transfer.