abstract
Maximizing solar cell efficiency is a critical step toward revolutionizing photovoltaic technologies and harnessing the full potential of light for energy conversion. This study investigates the incorporation of NaGdF4:Yb3+,Tm3+@NaGdF4:Eu3+ (TMN) and NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+@NaGdF4:Eu3+ (ERN) nanoparticles into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to improve their power conversion efficiency. The nanoparticles were synthesized through thermolysis and characterized using multiple techniques, including photoluminescence spectroscopy, quantum yield measurements, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, solar simulation, and external quantum efficiency assessments. These lanthanide-doped NPs exhibited strong downshifting and minor upconversion luminescence, acting like optical translators that reshape poorly absorbed light into usable wavelengths. Devices incorporating the ERN nanoparticles demonstrated a 22.19% relative increase in power conversion efficiency, while those with TMN showed a 13.23% improvement. These enhancements are attributed mainly to the effective downshifting emission of Eu3+ and improved surface passivation from the core-shell architecture, which together reduce recombination losses and improve charge carrier dynamics. These findings underscore the potential of photon-converting lanthanide-based materials to address spectral absorption limitations in PSCs, offering a promising route toward next-generation photovoltaic technologies.
keywords
UP-CONVERSION LUMINESCENCE; ENERGY-TRANSFER; PERFORMANCE; EFFICIENCY; POWER; ER3+; YB
subject category
Chemistry; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science
authors
Palacio, MPS; dos Santos, LPM; Barros, LCE; Oliveira, N; Coelho, SFN; Coimbra, EAC; Camilo, DP; Lima, FAS; Maturi, FE; Menda, UD; Sigoli, FA; Silva, WF; Jacinto, C; Andre, P; Mendes, MJ; Ferreira, RAS; Vasconcelos, IF
our authors
Fernando Eduardo Maturi
Research Fellowship
Maria Rute de Amorim e Sá Ferreira André
Full professoracknowledgements
This research was supported by funding from the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-CAPES (Finance Code 001 and L. P. M. Santos PNPD fellowship), Fundacao Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico Tecnologico-FUNCAP (Process ITR-0214-00020.01.00/23), and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico-CNPq (Process 316138/2021-5). The authors thank E1 Energias Renovaveis S.A. for their collaboration through the EfiSol project (call 21/06, contract 21/03). Additionally, the authors acknowledge the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory-LNNano (proposal: 20230784) for their support. Further financial support was provided by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia-FCT, I.P. through the projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020, and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling, and Nanofabrication-i3N and by the projects PAPEROVSKITE (2022.02954.PTDC, DOI: 10.54499/2022.02954.PTDC) and Spaceflex (2022.01610.PTDC). This work also received funding from the M-ECO2 project - Industrial cluster for advanced biofuel production (ref. C644930471-00000041), cofinanced by PRR - Recovery and Resilience Plan of the European Union (Next Generation EU).