Fabrication and photosensitivity of structures based on CdS: Au nano-particles nanocomposite

In order to improve the light trapping in CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells, the metallic nano-particles embedding can increase the photoabsorption as a result of the enhanced electric field and forward-scattering upon excitation of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). This paper investigates how chemically deposited gold nano-particles array affects the CdS film optical properties. The surface morphology, and absorption of the CdS thin films decorated on top or inside with Au nano-particles array were studied in subsequent stages of the technological process. The SPR effect, an enhanced light absorption and photosensitivity in the visible range of spectrum for CdS: Au nano-particles nanocomposite films was shown. The spectral responsivity region for the ITO/CdS: Au NPs/Ag surface barrier structures was found to be extended to the long-wavelengths. Using Finite Element Method simulations, the plasmon resonance wavelength for fabricated Au nano-particles geometries was calculated and compared with experimental data. The results of this paper will contribute to the optimization of plasmonic CdS/CdTe solar cell and will pave the way for the development of highly efficient solar cell devices. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.