Numerical Study of Plasmonic Effects of Ag Nanoparticles embedded in the Active Layer on performance polymer organic Solar Cells

Abstract In this paper, the light absorption the active layer of polymer polymer solar cells (OPV) by using plasmonic nanocrystals with hexagonal lattice is investigated. To study the relation between the performance of the OPV solar cell and its active layer, a three-dimensional model for its morphology is utilized. Therefore, the three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference time-domain method and Lumirical software were used to measure the field distribution and light absorption in the active layer in terms of wavelength. OPV solar cells with bilayer and bulk heterojunction structured cells were designed using hexagonal lattice crystals with plasmonic nanoparticles, as well as, core-shell geometry to govern a design to optimize light trapping in the active layer. The parameters of shape, material, periodicity, size, the thickness of the active layer as a function of wavelength in OPV solar cells have been investigated. A very thin active layer and an ultra-thin shell were used to achieve the highest increase in optical absorption. The strong alternating electromagnetic field around the core-shell plasmonic nanoparticles resulting from the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) suggested by the Ag plasmonic nanocrystals increased the intrinsic optical absorption in the active layer poly(3-hexylthiophene):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM). Based on the photovoltaic results the short circuit current ranged from 19.7 to 26.7 mA/cm2.PACs Number: 88.40.hj, 88.40.jj, 42.70.Qs