The Effect of Embedded Ag Nanoparticle on the Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency in CdTe/CdS Thin Films

The addition of Ag nanoparticles to photovoltaic cells may improve cell efficiency while reducing production costs. The addition of embedded Ag nanoparticles in CdTe/CdS/ITO (indium tin oxide) base solar cells have been investigated in this study. Ag nanoparticles were deposited between the CdS and CdTe layers through pulse laser deposition method onto ITO coated glass. This research investigates how the inclusion of Ag nanoparticles will affect light scattering at the interfaces and whether the different size and density of Ag nanoparticles will have a positive effect on the overall photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the thin films solar cells. In order to structurally and electrically characterize the silver nanoparticles added efficiency to the cells x-ray diffraction ellipsometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and Labview assisted Keithley source meter photovoltaic measurement set were used. The photovoltaic conversion efficiency exhibits a sensitive dependence on the size and the particle density of the embedded Ag nanoparticles. At what amount of Ag will there be the greatest electrical efficiency and at what amount of Ag the electrical efficiency will begin to plateau will also be discussed.