Gold Nanoantennas Create More Robust Solar Cells
Post# of 22456
A solid-state solar cell composed of titanium dioxide, nickel oxide, and gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles harvest light and provide a visible light response to the cell. Image: Tomoya Oshikiri, Hokkaido University
Scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan are making leeway in the fabrication of all-solid-state solar cells that are highly durable and can efficiently convert sunlight into energy. The team employed a method called “atomic layer deposition”, which allows scientists to control the deposit of very thin, uniform layers of materials on top of each other. Using this method, they deposited a thin film of nickel oxide onto a single crystal of titanium dioxide. Gold nanoparticles were introduced between the two layers to act like an antenna that harvests visible light.
The team tested the properties of these fabricated devices with and without an intermediary step following the deposition of nickel oxide that involves heating it to very high temperatures and then allowing it to slowly cool — a process called “annealing.”
http://www.cemag.us/news/2016/05/gold-nanoant...olar-cells
....lol, the annealing process reminded me of polarizer and other thin films > CDX tm
We'll know when we know