abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are devices comprising a transparent matrix embedding optically active centres that absorb the incident radiation, which is re-emitted at a specific wavelength and transferred by total internal reflection to photovoltaic (PV) cells located at the edges of the matrix. Organic-inorganic hybrids incarcerating trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) are a very promising class of materials for addressing the required challenges in the LSC design to improve solar energy harvesting and, then, PV energy conversion. This feature article offers a general overview of the potential of down-shifting-based Ln(3+)-containing organic-inorganic hybrids for the development of the area with special focus on (i) optically active layer design, (ii) energy conversion mechanisms, (iii) performance and geometry and (iv) figures of merit in PV cell enhancement. Finally, a prospective outlook on future progress, e.g. optically active centre alignment, geometry optimization and building integration, is provided. The use of Ln(3+)-containing hybrids in LSCs is at an infant initial research step and considerable basic knowledge is still needed to enable prototypes to become a commercial reality.
keywords
FREQUENCY UP-CONVERSION; ER3+-DOPED FLUOROINDATE-GLASSES; BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAICS; RARE-EARTH IONS; QUANTUM DOTS; THIN-FILMS; SILVER NANOPARTICLES; GOLD NANOPARTICLES; ENERGY-CONVERSION; BROAD-BAND
subject category
Chemistry; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science
authors
Correia, SFH; Bermudez, VD; Ribeiro, SJL; Andre, PS; Ferreira, RAS; Carlos, LD
our authors
Luís Carlos
Full professor
Maria Rute de Amorim e Sá Ferreira André
Full professor
Sandra Filipa Henriques Correia
ResearcherProjects
Harvesting the energy of the sun for a sustainable future (CENTRO-07-ST24-FEDER-002032)
LUMINET - European Network on Luminescent Materials (LUMINET)
acknowledgements
Funding was provided by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), EU/FEDER COMPETE and Mais Centro-PORC, under contracts PEstC/CTM/LA0011/2013, PEst-OE/EEI/LA0008/2013, PTDC/CTM-BPC/112774/2009 and CENTRO-07-ST24-FEDER-002032. The support of COST Action MP1202