Plasmon-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells using SiO2 spheres decorated with tightly assembled silver nanoparticles

SiO2 spheres decorated with tightly assembled silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the photoanode of a dye-sensitized solar cell. Localized surface plasmon resonance from the assembled Ag nanoparticles increased the light absorption throughout the wide visible light range. This plasmon-enhanced light absorption resulted in a significant improvement in the device performance.