Enhanced efficiency in PM6:Y7 organic solar cells with Ag ₂ S nanoparticles-embedded PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer, validation by devices simulation

In the present study, silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag 2 S NPs) were synthesized in an aqueous medium under a nitrogen-controlled atmosphere. Nanoparticles exhibited an average size of 35 ± 2 nm, which were embedded at 0.5, 2 and 4 wt.% into PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on PM6:Y7. Devices with the 0.5 wt.% of Ag 2 S NPs relative to the PeEDOT:PSS solid content showed the best photovoltaic (PV) performance. OSCs fabrication and testing were carried out under room atmospheric conditions. Field’s Metal, a eutectic alloy of bismuth, indium, and tin (Bi 32.5%, In 51%, and Sn 16.5%) with a melting point of 62 °C, as top electrode, was deposited using the evaporation-free drop-casting technique. Reference/control (0 wt.% of Ag 2 S NPs ) and plasmonic devices were fabricated simultaneously, achieving an average power conversion efficiency ( PCE ) of 9.30% (9.61% the best) and 10.04% (10.41% the best), respectively, at the doping level of 0.5 wt.% of Ag 2 S NPs ; it means an increase of around 8% in PCE parameter. A 1123 h stability study, conducted according to the ISOS-D1 (shelf storage) protocol, further confirmed that the PV stability of plasmonic devices remained unaffected by the addition of NPs. The plasmonic OSCs PV performance improvement was validated through devices simulation, using the COMSOL Multiphysics software.