SOLAMON

Plasmons Generating Nanocomposite Materials (PGNM) for 3rd Generation Thin Film Solar Cells

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The objective of the SOLAMON project is to develop high potential Plasmon Generating Nanocomposite Materials (PGNM) which will pave the way to the generation III solar cells (high efficiency & low cost). The objective is an augmentation in the External Quantum Efficiency resulting in an increase of 20% in the short circuit current density of the thin film solar cells. To achieve such an ambitious goal, the project will focus on the development of fully tailored building block nanoparticles able to generate a plasmon effect for enhanced solar absorption in thin film solar cells. Such nanoparticles designed for an optimum absorption will be integrated in solar cells matrix using a recently developed room temperature deposition process. This step will result in the specific design of PGNM for solar cells using a knowledge based approach coupling modeling at both scales: nanoscopic (plasmonic structure) and macroscopic (solar cells). SOLAMON will address three different classes of solar cells: a-Si:H thin films, organics and dye sensitised. Developing the PGNM on these three classes aims at maximizing the project impact and not to compare them because scientific background acquired on these technologies could be easily transferred to other ones. As a matter of fact, a-Si:H technology targets mainly the BuiIding Integrated PV (BIPV) market (large surfaces) whereas the two others are most suitable for the consumer good market (nomad applications). The project workprogram, the critical path and the contingencies plans are designed to maximize both social and economic impact. For this reason, the BIPV applications (i.e. a-Si:H based technology) will be firstly considered when a strategic choice occurs, keeping in mind that, even of large economic importance, the two other technologies do not have the same key BIPV environmental and social impact.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The next generation of solar cells (SCs) must demonstrate increased efficiency at a reasonable cost. EU-funded scientists explored the use of oscillating electron clouds around metal nanoparticles (NPs) to selectively boost optical absorption.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Photovoltaic (PV), or solar, cells are poised for massive market penetration if efficiency can be increased at reduced costs. Excitation of plasmons in thin-film SCs seems to be a promising way to achieve this. Plasmons are coherent and collective electromagnetic waves formed by oscillations of nearly free electrons at the interface between two materials, typically a metal and a dielectric. Inducing this plasmonic effect around metallic NPs embedded in dielectrics enables enhanced light capture at specific wavelengths, increasing absorption efficiency.

Partners on the 'Plasmons generating nanocomposite materials (PGNM) for 3rd generation thin film solar cells' (SOLAMON) project developed tailored NP building blocks for embedding in commercial low-cost silicon substrates to generate a plasmon effect. Embedding was done with a new patented room-temperature deposition process for large NPs. Three classes of thin-film SCs were considered: one suitable for the building-integrated PV (BIPV) market and the other two for smaller-scale consumer products.

SOLAMON researchers deposited both small and larger silver (Ag) NPs, demonstrating good process control and reproducibility as well as the ability to induce a plasmonic effect. Promising preliminary experiments were also carried out with large core-shell metallic NPs, the production of which has led to two patent applications. Integrated simulation software was used to determine and compare the optical properties of the three SC types with and without PGNMs. PGNM layers were successfully incorporated into all three, with preliminary tests pointing the way to further optimisations. In particular, the use of large core-shell metallic NPs is likely to overcome certain technical difficulties seen during the simulation and testing phases.

Generation I SCs are in use and Generation II, thin-film SCs are even more competitive in terms of price, but lacking in desired conversion efficiency. SOLAMON technology is pointing the way to a unique opportunity to increase efficiency using embedded NPs capable of inducing plasmon resonance for Generation III thin-film SCs. Reaching goals with continued research will have significant impact on the global energy market.