Speaker
Dr
Joseph Kirui
(University of Venda)
Description
The main aim of the study was to enhance the overall performance of the photovoltaic device through incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Eight glass plates coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) on one side were used; two of them were etched by reacting hydrochloric acid with zinc powder. Silver nanoparticles of varying concentrations were then deposited on the ITO-glass substrates using radio frequency (RF) sputtering method. Poly(3,4-ethyleredioxythiopene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was deposited onto the etched substrates using spin coating method. The optical properties were investigated using UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy where the surface plasmon peaks were recorded approximately 347 nm and 576 nm for transmittance and absorption respectively. The effect of both low and high concentrations of Ag NPs were studied; the former allowed more light to pass through whereas the latter caused the shifting of peaks to the visible region. In addition, PEDOT:PSS reduces the reflective properties of glass and generate a negative absorbance and hence more electron-hole pairs.
Key Words: surface plasmon resonance (SPR), radio frequency (RF) sputtering, Ag NPs, PEDOT:PSS, ITO
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, N/A)?
N/A
Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution
Dr JK Kirui,
University of Venda
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
No
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?
Yes
Primary author
Mr
Kenneth Baloyi
(University of Venda)
Co-authors
Dr
Joseph Kirui
(University of Venda)
Mr
Lordwell Jhamba
(University of Venda)
