Influence of gold nanoparticles on Eu3+ doped GeO2-Bi2O3 glasses covered Silicon solar cell

Abstract

Efficiency of Silicon commercial solar cells covered with germanate glasses doped with Eu3+ ions, with and without gold nanoparticles, was measured. Enhancement of the efficiency was observed in the presence of gold nanoparticles when compared to germanate glasses without gold nanoparticle. The results were attributed to the plasmonic enhancement around Eu3+ ions due to the presence of gold nanoparticles and the energy transfer from excited nanoparticles to the Eu3+ ions.