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<\/p>\nBy using gold nanospheres engineered to capture light across the solar spectrum, researchers at Korea University took a step toward lowering barriers to more efficient and cost-effective renewable energy harvesting.<\/p>\n
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Hun Rho et al. introduce plasmonic colloidal supraballs \u2014 solution-processable assemblies of gold nanospheres \u2014 as a robust and versatile platform for broadband solar energy harvesting. Image credit: Hun Rho et al., doi: 10.1021\/acsami.5c23149.<\/p>\n
Scientists are exploring materials that absorb light across the solar spectrum to improve solar energy harvesting.<\/p>\n
Gold and silver nanoparticles have been suggested as a solution because they\u2019re easy and cost-effective to make, but current nanoparticles\u2019 light absorption is confined to visible wavelengths.<\/p>\n
To capture additional wavelengths, including near-infrared light, Korea University researcher Seungwoo Lee and colleagues propose using self-assembling gold supraballs.<\/p>\n
These structures consist of gold nanoparticles that clump together and form tiny spheres.<\/p>\n
The diameter of the supraballs was adjusted to maximize the absorption of wavelengths present in sunlight.<\/p>\n
The researchers first used computer simulations to optimize the design of individual supraballs and to predict the performance of supraball films.<\/p>\n
The results from the simulations showed that the supraballs should absorb more than 90% of wavelengths from sunlight.<\/p>\n
Next, the scientists created a film of gold supraballs by drying a liquid solution containing the structures on the surface of a commercially available thermoelectric generator, a device that converts light energy into electricity.<\/p>\n
The films were created in ambient room conditions \u2014 no clean rooms or extreme temperatures required.<\/p>\n
In demonstrations with an LED solar simulator, the supraball-coated thermoelectric generator had an average solar absorption of about 89%, nearly twice that of a thermoelectric generator with a conventional film made from single gold nanoparticles (45%).<\/p>\n
\u201cOur plasmonic supraballs offer a simple route to harvesting the full solar spectrum,\u201d Dr. Lee said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, this coating technology could significantly lower the barrier for high-efficiency solar-thermal and photothermal systems in real-world energy applications.\u201d<\/p>\n