Review of Organic–Inorganic Heterojunction Hybrid Solar Cells with Embedded Plasmonic Nanocrystals: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Research into organic–inorganic heterojunction hybrid solar cells was initially driven by the promise of combining the best properties of organic and inorganic materials to achieve higher power conversion efficiencies. However, despite the early optimism, it has become clear that simply creating organic–inorganic heterojunctions does not necessarily lead to the significant enhancements in power conversion efficiency that were anticipated. This review delves into one promising avenue for overcoming these limitations: plasmonic enhancement. The review provides analysis of the mechanisms behind plasmonic effects, including near-field localization, far-field scattering, and hot-electron energy transfer, and discusses how these effects can significantly enhance the performance of organic–inorganic hybrid solar cells. It also addresses the ongoing challenges of integrating plasmonic materials effectively and optimizing their performance within hybrid solar cell devices. Ultimately, the review aims to shed light on how plasmonic enhancement could be a key strategy for achieving higher efficiencies and realizing the full potential of organic–inorganic heterojunction hybrid solar cells.