Scattering and plasmonic synergetic enhancement of the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by double-shell SiO 2 @Au@TiO 2 microspheres.

The Au nanoparticle sandwich double spheric-shells of SiO2 @Au@TiO2 (SAT) microspheres are synthesized. The significant influence of the SAT microspheres on the properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is investigated. Studies indicate that the introduction of SAT markedly enhanced the light scattering and capture ability of DSSCs and thus photogenerated electrons. DSSCs doped with 2.25 wt% SAT exhibit a maximum short circuit current density of 17.0 mA cm-2 and photoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.14%, which are remarkably higher than those of conventional DSSCs at 15.7% and 21.2%, respectively. The marked enhancement in the performance of the optimal DSSCs can be attributed to the synergetic complementary effect of the enhanced light scattering of the microspheres and to the localized surface plasmon resonance of the Au nanoparticles in the SAT, and is a novel promising way of enhancing the performance of DSSCs.