Deciphering the Effects of Plasmonic Nanoparticles Doping in Hybrid Perovskite Photovoltaic and Photodetector Devices

Abstract Obtaining high‐performance films of organo‐metallic halide perovskites is still a challenging task, with tremendous potential outcomes for devices involving light absorption such as next‐generation photovoltaics or photodetectors. In many experimental reports, particularly on perovskite solar cells, the addition of metallic nanoparticles (gold, silver…) has demonstrated promising performance improvements. However, while light management strategies based on plasmonic resonances are the initial motivation for these experiments, various other explanations have been proposed and the plasmonic nature of the performance boost is not always clear. In this article, optical simulation analysis is combined with a general review of the experimental reports to elucidate the role of nanoparticles in perovskite devices from a multifaceted perspective. Performance improvements were recently reported for various devices (solar cells, photodetectors) of different perovskite materials where gold nanoparticles were introduced either by spin coating or evaporation. Alongside a comprehensive examination of conventional optical effects, a novel function is identified of nanoparticles in regulating the crystallization rate of perovskite films, leading to enhanced film quality and ultimately boosting light absorption and device optical performance. This analysis enriches the mechanistic understanding for future studies on the use of nanoparticles in perovskite‐based devices, offering a novel approach for optimizing perovskite films.