Advancements in Amorphous Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) Solar Cells through the Use of Plasmonic Nanoparticles

This study investigates the incorporation of gold (Au) nanoparticles into indium tin oxide (ITO)/silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells through a drop-casting method, with nanoparticle density finely tuned by varying the number of deposited drops from a 0.05 mg/mL solution. The systematic adjustment of Au-network densities enabled a detailed evaluation of their influence on the photovoltaic response of SHJ devices. The results revealed a maximum shortcircuit current (Jsc) enhancement of 11.5% at an optimal nanoparticle density corresponding to six drops, confirming the beneficial role of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in boosting light absorption and photocurrent generation. However, this improvement in Jsc was accompanied by declines in other photovoltaic parameters, including open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and overall power conversion efficiency (PCE), particularly at higher nanoparticle densities. These outcomes underscore the delicate balance between plasmonic optical enhancement and electrical performance, emphasizing the need to carefully optimize nanoparticle concentration and distribution depending on the specific requirements of the intended optoelectronic application. To further assess real-world viability, the performance of SHJ solar cells incorporating Au nanoparticles was also evaluated under varying temperature conditions, simulating the hot desert climate of Qatar. The temperature-dependent behavior revealed additional challenges, as elevated temperatures further influenced the photovoltaic parameters, reinforcing the importance of thermal stability in plasmonic device engineering. Overall, these findings provide initial yet valuable insights into the opportunities and trade-offs of integrating plasmonic nanostructures into SHJ solar cells. They highlight both the potential for photocurrent enhancement and the challenges posed by recombination, transport losses, and environmental conditions. This work thus underscores the need for continued research into advanced plasmonic designs, optimized nanoparticle configurations, and hybrid strategies that could fully harness the promise of plasmonics while ensuring robust, efficient, and climate-resilient solar cell performance.