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Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells

Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2022.

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Other Authors: Diale, M. (Mmantsae Moche)
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2022
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author2 Diale, M. (Mmantsae Moche)
author_browse Diale, M. (Mmantsae Moche)
author_facet Diale, M. (Mmantsae Moche)
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2022.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:47.098Z
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
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publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/85203 Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells Diale, M. (Mmantsae Moche) sharlot.ngunyulu@gmail.com Ngunyulu, Tlangelani Shalot Gold nanostructures Plasmonic effect Organic solar cells (OSCs) UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2022. Gold (Au) nanospheres, nanorods and nanoprisms were synthesized using the seed-mediated growth method. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of Au nanostructures were explored. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to identify the shape and size of Au nanostructures. The average diameters of Au nanospheres (AuNSs) and Au seeds were 6 and 4 nm, respectively. Au nanoprisms with average edge length of 68 nm and Au nanorods (AuNRs) with an average length of 70 and width of 40 nm (aspect ratio of 1.9) were obtained. In UV-Vis spectra, plasmon absorption peaks of these nanostructures were located in the range of 395 to 629 nm for Au seeds (with the smallest sizes) to AuNRs (with largest sizes). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the face-centered cubic crystalline structure of Au, while Raman showed strong vibrational modes. Additionally, the structural, optical, and morphological properties of Poly[N-9'-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt- 5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole)]:[6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT: PC70BM) layers with AuNSs, AuNRs, and Au nanoprisms were characterized.UV-Vis spectra were obtained within the absorption range of 378 – 564 nm. PCDTBT: PC70BM with Au nanoprisms absorbed at high intensity in comparison to the other samples. SEM micrographs revealed compact morphology with pin-hole defects. XRD and Raman analysis showed no crystalline domains. The electron transport layer, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and hole transport layer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) were spin-coated and characterized. PCDTBT: PC70BM based organic solar cells (OSCs) were fabricated with Au nanostructures were incorporated between the electron-hole transport layer and the active layer. Analysis of the electrical characteristics of the devices was done using current density voltage (J-V). Power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the pristine device was 2.04 %, while AuNSs with plasmonics achieved 1.19%. A month after fabrication, the PCE for pristine and plasmonic devices with AuNSs increased to 2.08 and 1.72%, respectively. When compared to the other plasmonic devices, the device with AuNSs performed the best. NRF postgraduate scholarship Physics MSc (Physics) Unrestricted 2022-05-16T06:47:19Z 2022-05-16T06:47:19Z 2022 2022 Dissertation * S2022 https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85203 en © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Gold nanostructures
Plasmonic effect
Organic solar cells (OSCs)
UCTD
Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title_full Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title_fullStr Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title_full_unstemmed Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title_short Plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
title_sort plasmonic effects of gold nanostructures in organic solar cells
topic Gold nanostructures
Plasmonic effect
Organic solar cells (OSCs)
UCTD
url https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85203