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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
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Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids
Published on: August 23, 2012
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Nanocrystals for luminescent solar concentrators
Liam R Bradshaw1, Kathryn E Knowles, Stephen McDowall
1Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
Nano Letters
|January 14, 2015
Summary
New nanocrystal phosphors significantly reduce reabsorption losses in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). A novel Cd(1-x)Cu(x)Se phosphor demonstrates superior performance for efficient solar energy harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) offer a cost-effective approach to solar energy by concentrating sunlight.
- LSC efficiency is significantly hampered by luminophore reabsorption losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively compare four types of nanocrystal (NC) phosphors for minimizing reabsorption in large-scale LSCs.
- To introduce and evaluate a new NC phosphor for improved LSC performance.
Main Methods:
- Experimental and numerical analyses of two NC heterostructures and two doped NCs.
- Performance evaluation of LSC phosphors under full-spectrum conditions.
Main Results:
- NC heterostructures exhibit significant reabsorption losses due to core absorption, even at short transport lengths.
- Doped NCs demonstrate superior performance over heterostructures in minimizing reabsorption.
- The novel nanocrystalline Cd(1-x)Cu(x)Se phosphor significantly outperforms all other leading NCs in both small- and large-scale LSCs.
Conclusions:
- Minimizing reabsorption losses is critical for advancing LSC technology.
- Doped NCs are more effective than heterostructures for reducing reabsorption in LSCs.
- Nanocrystalline Cd(1-x)Cu(x)Se presents a promising advancement for efficient luminescent solar concentrators.
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