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Optical field coupling in ZnO nanorods decorated with silver plasmonic nanoparticles
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3956-444X
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7475-6394
Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Via G. Ponzio 34/3, Milano I-20133, Italy .
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1785-7177
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2021 (English)In: Journal of Materials Chemistry C, ISSN 2050-7526, E-ISSN 2050-7534, Vol. 9, no 43, p. 15452-15462Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Characterizing carrier redistribution due to optical field modulation in a plasmonic hot-electron/semiconductor junction can be used to raise the framework for harnessing the carrier decay of plasmonic metals in more efficient conversion systems. In this work we comprehensively studied the carrier redistribution mechanisms of a 1-dimensional (1D) metal-semiconductor Schottky architecture, holding the dual feature of a hot-electron plasmonic system and a simple metal/semiconductor junction. We obtained a strongly enhanced external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the plasmonic Ag decorated ZnO semiconductor in both the band-edge region of ZnO and the corresponding plasmonic absorption profile of the Ag NPs (visible region). Simultaneously, the insertion of an insulating Al2O3 intermediate layer between Ag NPs and ZnO resulted in a parallel distinction of the two main non-radiative carrier transfer mechanisms of plasmonic NPs, i.e. direct electron transfer (DET) and plasmonic induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET). The multi-wavelength transient pump-probe spectroscopy indicated the very fast plasmonic radiative transfer dynamics of the system in <500 fs below 389 nm. We demonstrate a 13% increase of photogenerated current in ZnO upon visible irradiation as a result of non-radiative plasmonic hot-electron injection from Ag NPs. Overall, our device encompasses several effective solutions for designing a plasmonic system featuring non-radiative electron-electron plasmonic dephasing and high photoconversion efficiencies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Royal Society of Chemistry, 2021. Vol. 9, no 43, p. 15452-15462
National Category
Condensed Matter Physics
Research subject
Experimental Physics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-87361DOI: 10.1039/d1tc03032aISI: 000700916000001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85119323967OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-87361DiVA, id: diva2:1600337
Funder
The Kempe FoundationsEU, Horizon 2020, 654002Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationVinnova
Note

Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-11-29 (johcin);

Artikeln har tidigare förekommit som manuskript i avhandling

Available from: 2021-10-04 Created: 2021-10-04 Last updated: 2021-11-29Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Alternative Energy Harvesting and Conversion Systems Based on Nanostructured Heterostructures
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Alternative Energy Harvesting and Conversion Systems Based on Nanostructured Heterostructures
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Conversion and storage of the solar radiation into applicable forms of energy, using ubiquitous materials is of central importance that quests several disciplinary fields in both applied technology and fundamental science. Harnessing the solar energy received by the earth has the potential to replace the current sources of energy and it is imperative for sustainable development. 

Since the early development of modern photovoltaics (PVs), based on silicon wafers, a rational step was the substantial development of the new generation PV technologies that can provide lower-cost and higher efficiency than their predecessors. Deliberate solutions involved employing different semiconducting materials that are indispensable, non-toxic and compatible with large-scale fabricating technologies.  

Exploiting metal oxide (MOx) semiconductors, a broad class of non-toxic, cheap and abundant materials, is already promoted as a key component for high-performance optoelectronic devices and can be an ideal solution for inexpensive harnessing of sustainable energy resources like Sun light. The favorable band gap and high absorption cross-section of some MOx semiconductors permit utilizing different spectral region of the solar spectrum. However, at this present, the implication of MOx in high-throughput optoelectronic devices remained on the low side. Some of the main drawbacks that attain to poor performance of the MOx are associated with their poor intrinsic carrier mobility especially in p-type light absorbers and insufficient visible light absorption notably in n-type semiconductors.   

The main aim of this thesis is to further contribute to the development and exploitation of this class of materials with the main focus on their role in optoelectronic devices and energy storage systems. 

The content of this thesis considers two main aspect of the research. 

Substantially, this work analyses the vital role of the interface engineering using nanostructured MOx, where we exploit unique phenomena such as intense electric field confinement in 1dimensional (1D) structures resulting in ample light trapping in the fabricated heterojunctions. Unfortunately, this fact comes at the cost of introducing space charge region (SCR) limits in the fabricated devices attaining for poor derived currents. 

Here I would probably spend couple of words for introducing the Co3O4 NR as the basis for p-n inverted nanorod junction…

Plasmonic metal nanoparticles (NPs) were conventionally used to extend the spectral response of the wide-bandgap semiconductors. Within the scheme of this thesis, we employ the silver plasmonic NPs in a 1D light harvesting structure of zinc oxide (ZnO), where we mediate hot-carrier collection of the charges via controlled illuminations. 

Even further, we provide a comprehensive analysis on the hot-carrier redistribution mechanisms of the plasmonic NPs to semiconductor, providing direct experimental proof using transient pump-probe spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence analysis. Our work resulted in a distinct understanding of the radiative and non-radiative carrier transfer between the active constituents of the system, which have not been corroborated previously.

In a parallel approach, the research activities in this work, take a few steps ahead and investigates the issues related to the disparities in the PV plants. A common prerequisite after conversion of the solar light using PV devices is the electrochemical storage of the energy where it can answer the needs for far-reaching energy requirements. Fostered by the intrinsic capacitance characteristic of the MOx, we interplay the role of the interfacial engineering in Co3O4 porous films and investigate the effect of their lateral architecture on Li+ ion adsorption and desorption properties.

Finally, our findings resulted in the fabrication of a hybrid device with dual functionality as an all-oxide PV system that can directly store the converted Sunlight as in a supercapacitor device. The prospect of this device can provide the over-potential required for direct storage of the converted solar energy into larger high storage systems.

In summary, the results presented in this thesis highlights the potential of the MOx semiconductors for photovoltaic and storage applications. We identify the various step-forward routes, which can provide the possibility of large-scale deployment of this novel class of materials.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå: Luleå University of Technology, 2021
Series
Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology 1 jan 1997 → …, ISSN 1402-1544
Keywords
light harvesting, solar supercapacitors, energy conversion, Photovoltaic, energy storage, metal oxide semiconductors
National Category
Nano Technology
Research subject
Experimental Physics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-86691 (URN)978-91-7790-906-4 (ISBN)978-91-7790-907-1 (ISBN)
Public defence
2021-10-05, E632, Luleå, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-08-17 Created: 2021-08-17 Last updated: 2021-10-15Bibliographically approved

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Gilzad Kohan, MojtabaYou, ShujieConcina, IsabellaVomiero, Alberto

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