Photocurrent enhancement by surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles in spray deposited large area dye sensitized solar cells

A facile method for fabricating large area TiO₂ and TiO₂–Au nanocomposite films for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is presented using a spray technique. Pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were sprayed together with the TiO₂ NPs and composite films with brilliant coloration due to surface plasmon resonances of Au NPs were prepared. Composite films containing ∼ 15 nm sized Au NPs exhibited enhanced absorption in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. DSSCs with a large area of ∼ 4.5 cm² were fabricated and a photocurrent enhancement of ∼ 10% was obtained for plasmonic DSSC containing 0.3 wt.% of ∼ 15 nm Au NPs. Incident photon to current conversion efficiency data conclusively showed enhanced currents in the visible region of the polychromatic spectrum arising due to plasmon enhanced near-field effects of Au NPs around the absorbing dye molecules. - Highlights: • Preparation of TiO₂ and TiO₂–Au films with a large area of ∼ 7.5 cm² by a spray technique • An efficiency of ∼ 4.5% achieved by the large area plasmonic DSSC • Photocurrent enhancement due to SPR effects of gold NPs observed • Comparison of the spray and conventional doctor blade methods in DSSC performance • Demonstration of technological feasibility and versatility of a simple spray process