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Published on: September 12, 2014
Eu(3+)-doped NaGdF4 nanocrystal down-converting layer for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Jie Shen1, Zhiqiang Li, Rui Cheng
1Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, East China Normal University , North Zhongshan Rd. 3663, Shanghai 200062, People's Republic of China.
We synthesized Europium-doped sodium gadolinium fluoride (NaGdF4:Eu) nanocrystals using a hydrothermal method. These down-conversion nanocrystals enhance dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency by improving light absorption and scattering.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology.
- Enhancing light harvesting and charge generation is crucial for improving DSSC efficiency.
- Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals offer unique optical properties for energy applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize Europium-doped sodium gadolinium fluoride (NaGdF4:Eu) nanocrystals (NCs) via a hydrothermal method.
- To investigate the application of these NaGdF4:Eu NCs as down-conversion (DC) layers in DSSCs.
- To evaluate the impact of NaGdF4:Eu NCs on the photovoltaic performance and spectral response of DSSCs.
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal synthesis of NaGdF4:Eu nanocrystals.
- Characterization using X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectrometry, and electron microscopy.
- Fabrication of DSSCs with a DC layer of NaGdF4:Eu embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) attached to a TiO2 anode.
- Evaluation of device performance using incident-photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) measurements.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of NaGdF4:Eu NCs with controlled properties.
- Demonstrated enhancement in IPCE when incorporating the NaGdF4:Eu DC-PMMA layer.
- A 4.5% relative improvement in photoelectric conversion efficiency was achieved with a 100 nm NaGdF4:Eu DC-PMMA layer.
- NaGdF4:Eu NCs function as luminescent DC centers and light scatterers.
Conclusions:
- NaGdF4:Eu nanocrystals can be effectively synthesized using a hydrothermal method.
- The incorporation of NaGdF4:Eu NCs as a DC layer significantly improves DSSC performance.
- These NCs enhance spectral response by down-converting UV light and scattering visible light, leading to increased photocurrent generation.
