Plasmonic graphene-trapping photons for advanced photovoltaics Judy Wu, University of Kansas Center for Research Inc

1. Plasmonic graphene-trapping photons for advanced photovoltaicsJudy Wu, University of Kansas Center for Research Inc, DMR 1105986 Outcome: Researchers at the University of Kansas have created plasmonic graphene for trapping photons near and inject electrons into graphene. Impact: Graphene is an emerging material that may be used for a variety of applications in electronic and electrical devices and systems (Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010). Plasmonic graphene will potentially enable advanced optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and photodetectors. Solar cells with plasmonic graphene as transparent conductors can be ultrathin, flexible, light weight and high performance, which project low cost and environmental impact. G. Xu et al., Adv. Mater. 24, OP71-OP76, 2012, featured on the cover of the Adv. Optical Mat.(April, 2012) • Explanation: Graphene transmits 97% of incidentwhite light and has high electrical conductivity. These make graphene superior to conventional transparentconductors with higher performance and lower lost. The plasmonic graphene is a nanogybrid of graphene with nanoparticles of other materials (semiconductors, metals, etc) that can be self-assembled on graphene using the method developed by the Kansas team. The metal nanoparticles behave like nanoscale anntennas, which absorbe incident solar lights and reemits them with much enhanced intensity near the metal surafce due to so-called surface enhanced plasmonic effect-enabling high efficiency ultrathin solar cells.