Incorporation of Gold Nanoparticles in PEDOT:PSS Layer for Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell Application Nur Fadhilah Syarif (a), Rahmat Hidayat (a), Priastuti Wulandari (a*)
a) Physics of Magnetism and Photonics Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132, West Java, Indonesia
*wulan[at]fi.itb.ac.id
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have unique optical properties called Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR). LSPR is an optical phenomenon generated by light wave trapped within conductive material that have dimension <10 nm. In this case, AuNPs have a diameter that close to the incident wavelength, resulted in collective oscillation of electron in conduction band.
In this research, we study optical and chemical properties of AuNPs incorporate into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution and the performance of hybrid bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell based on addition of AuNPs into PEDOT:PSS as hole transport layer. Usually, the amphiphilic surfactant molecules is added into PEDOT:PSS to enhance wettability of PEDOT:PSS layer when it combine into hybrid solar cell structure.
AuNPs preparation were done by use of modified reduction method with organic capping molecules such as citrates, 3-mercaptopropionic acid and oleylamine. The characterizations of AuNPs interaction with PEDOT:PSS were done by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopies while the morphology and shape of AuNPs were captured by TEM imaging. We also compared the performance of solar cell devices based on poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) and PEDOT:PSS incorporated AuNPs. Typical plasmonic peak of AuNPs are clearly shown in the absorbance spectra as indicate from homogenous particle size and shape. However, its plasmonic peaks relatively shifted and overlapped when the nanoparticles are added into active polymer solution. The fabricated BHJ solar cell devices incorporated AuNPs will be performed in comparison to that of reference devices without gold nanoparticles.
Keywords: Gold Nanoparticles- PEDOT:PSS- localized surface plasmon resonance- electron transport layer- hybrid bulk heterojunction solar cell
