A Resonance-Shifting Hybrid n-Type Layer for Boosting Near-Infrared Response in Highly Efficient Colloidal Quantum Dots Solar Cells

A new configuration of a plasmonic quantum dots solar structure is proposed. Gold-silver core-shell metal nanoparticles (Au@Ag NCs) are incorporated into the TiO2 layer (Au@Ag NCs-HL) of PbS-based solar cells. The TiO2 layer enables the Au@Ag NCs to have broad plasmonic responses and the external quantum efficiency and absorption of the plasmonic devices are significantly enhanced. The electrical performance of the solar cells is also improved. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim10