A research team at the University of California (UCLA) have discovered ways of boosting organic photovoltaic efficiency by adding gold to the structure of cells.
The team found that incorporating gold nanoparticles allowed them to capture more light from the solar spectrum, maximising the power conversion by up to 20%. Gold's enhanced plasmonic effect was utilised by sandwiching the nanoparticles between two light-absorbing sub-cells within the organic photovoltaic cell, states a report by Energy Matters. The effect creates a strong electromagnetic current which is then captured by the solar layers.
According to the university, this is the first time metal nanostructures have been incorporated within an organic photovoltaic cell.
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Energy Matters report
Thar's Gold In Them Thar Solar Cells
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