Dye-sensitized solar cells using localized surface plasmon of gold and silver nanoparticles with comb-shaped block copolymer

The conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells using 2 mu m thickness of TiO2 and N3 dye (RuL2(NCS)(2)center dot 2H(2)O (L=2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)) was improved from 1.5 to 2.4% by adding Ag nanoparticles covered with comb-shaped block copolymer (amine AgNP). Two methods of adding amine AgNP to porous TiO2 films were used. Absorption enhancement of the dyes on quartz substrates by adding AuNP was investigated. Absorption enhancement of the dyes occurred when adding the heat-treated amine AuNP, and the prepared AuNP covered with 16-mercapto hexadecanoic acid (thiol AuNP). Absorption enhancement was higher for Black Dye (=BD) (RuL'(NCS)(3):3TBA (L = 2,2',2""-terpyridyl-4,4',4"-tricarboxylic acid; TBA=tetrabutyl ammonium)) than for N3. The dependences of the absorption enhancement on the treating conditions could be explained by the distance between BD and AuNPs. The main absorption enhancement peak for thiol AuNP was longer side of wavelength than that for amine AuNP.