A large-area luminescent downshifting layer containing an Eu3+ complex for crystalline silicon solar cells. Issue 15 (24th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Daqing; Liang, Haiduo; Liu, Yujie; Hou, Man; Kan, Liping; Yang, Yijia; Zang, Zijian
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 49:Issue 15(2020)
• Page Start: 4725
• Page End: 4731
• Publication Date: 2020-03-24
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c9dt04858h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : We present a large-area luminescent down-shifting layer consists of polyvinyl alcohol embedding a newly synthesized ternary Eu 3+ complex. C-Si solar cell coated with this layer displayed an enhancement of ~15% in external quantum efficiency. Abstract : The spectral mismatch between the distribution of sunlight (AM1.5G) and crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells is one of the most important limiting factors of the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) devices. As an effective solution, the use of the luminescence down-shifting (LDS) technique is an important way to improve the short-wavelength response of a solar cell by shifting high-energy photons to the visible range. Herein, a large-area (17 × 17 cm 2 ) luminescent thin film consisting of a ternary europium (Eu 3+ ) complex and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was successfully constructed through a solution casting method and further developed as an effective LDS layer to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of c-Si solar cells with a large active area (235 cm 2 ). The self-standing LDS layer is flexible, transparent and easily attachable to the surface of the solar cell module. Compared with the uncoated c-Si solar cell, the one coated with the LDS layer displayed an enhancement of ∼15% in external quantum efficiency (EQE) due to the high luminescence quantum yield of the Eu 3+ complex doped inside the layer. These results demonstrate that use of a large area luminescent film embedding an Eu 3+ complex is a versatile and effective strategy to improve the conversion efficiency of large size PV devices, giving rise to its great potential application as an LDS material.