Broadband plasmonic coupling and enhanced power conversion efficiency in luminescent solar concentrator

Abstract Advancements in solar energy harvesting technologies call for innovative approaches to meet the ever-growing energy demand. This study exploits the plasmonic interaction of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) with fluorophores to improve the optical performance of Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs). Plasmonic Luminescent Solar Concentrator (PLSC) with dimensions of 45 × 45 × 3 mm3 containing Lumogen Red305 dye and gold core silver shell nanocuboids (Au@Ag NCs) were fabricated and characterized. Plasmonic coupling in the PLSC device was influenced through spacing and spectral overlap between the nanocuboids (NCs) and Red305 dye. The spacing between Au@Ag NCs and Red305 dye was controlled by the doping concentration of Au@Ag NCs for acquiring a homogeneous sample. The optical performance of PLSC waveguides was investigated through edge emission measurements of the waveguides while varying the doping concentration of Au@Ag NCs. A maximum enhancement of 30% in the fluorescence was achieved for PLSC device containing an optimal doping concentration (1.1 ppm) of Au@Ag NCs. A transition from maximum fluorescence enhancement to quenching was demonstrated, emphasizing the importance of MNP doping concentration and spectral overlap when coupling Au@Ag NC and Red305 dye molecules. At high doping concentrations of Au@Ag NCs, non-radiative energy transfer from Red305 dye molecules to the Au@Ag NCs made quenching a dominant effect. Monocrystalline silicon solar cells were attached to one edge of the PLSC waveguides. For the sample with 1.1 ppm Au@Ag NCs doping concentration, the power conversion efficiency was found to be 1.2 times higher than the power conversion efficiency of 0 ppm sample.