Bright Photon Upconversion on Composite Organic Lanthanide Molecules through Localized Thermal Radiation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photovoltaics
• Photonics

Background:

• Utilizing infrared (IR) photons via thermal radiation is a promising strategy to enhance photovoltaic efficiency.
• Lanthanide-based materials have shown significant advancements in infrared-to-visible photon upconversion (UC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To report bright, tunable wavelength photon upconversion (UC) at the molecular scale using localized thermal radiation.
• To explore lanthanide complexes with perfluorinated organic ligands for efficient IR photon utilization.

Main Methods:

• Engineering nonradiative de-excitation and energy transfer pathways in a composite of ytterbium and terbium perfluoroimidodiphosphinates.
• Utilizing low excitation power density (<10 W/cm²) for molecular-scale UC.
• Employing ytterbium sensitizers and terbium activators for efficient luminescence.

Main Results:

• Achieved bright, wavelength-tunable UC through localized thermal radiation at the molecular scale.
• Demonstrated efficient IR-excited thermal UC with controlled wavelengths.
• Developed a metallic molecular composite with high luminescence efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The developed lanthanide complexes offer a novel approach for IR-to-visible photon upconversion.
• This technology holds potential for improving solar energy conversion in thermal photovoltaic applications.
• The engineered composite enables efficient utilization of the IR solar spectrum.