Thin-film organic solar cells offer an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to semiconductor solar cells. Despite potentially high quantum efficiency, thin-film cells have low light-absorption compared to semiconductor variants. To increase absorption we deposited gold nano-particles onto the thin-film substrates, increasing the surface area for light harvesting molecules. Photocurrent measurements taken with a lock-in amplifier increased by approximately 50% with addition of the nano-particles. Such improvements could make photovoltaics more cost competitive with fossil fuels and help mitigate climate change.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Nuzzo-Mueller, Daniel Thomas
• Nesbitt, Nathan Taylor

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042811-090621

Advisor

• Burnham, Nancy A.
• Lambert, Christopher R.

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright