Dual functions of YF3:Eu3+ for improving photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In order to enhance the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a novel design is demonstrated by introducing rare-earth compound europium ion doped yttrium fluoride (YF3:Eu3+) in TiO2 film in the DSSC. As a conversion luminescence medium, YF3:Eu3+ transfers ultraviolet light to visible light via down-conversion, and increases incident harvest and photocurrent of DSSC. As a p-type dopant, Eu3+ elevates the Fermi level of TiO2 film and thus heightens photovoltage of the DSSC. The conversion luminescence and p-type doping effect are demonstrated by photoluminescence spectra and Mott-Schottky plots. When the ratio of YF3:Eu3+/TiO2 in the doping layer is optimized as 5 wt.%, the light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC reaches 7.74%, which is increased by 32% compared to that of the DSSC without YF3:Eu3+ doping. Double functions of doped rare-earth compound provide a new route for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.

Overcoming ultraviolet light instability of sensitized TiO2 with meso-superstructured organometal tri-halide perovskite solar cells

“…With regard to the second option, down-converting nanoparticles have been demonstrated to efficiently absorb UV light and re-emit visible light that can be harvested by the sensitizer in DSSCs 49,50 . Developing such routes to harvest all of the light of shorter wavelengths than 435 nm before it reaches the mesoporous TiO 2 , should allow for enhanced stability without the cost of decreased photocurrents 49,50 . With regard to removing the TiO 2 altogether, we have recently developed perovskite-based MSSCs, within which the mesoporous n-type TiO 2 is replaced with an insulating mesoporous Al 2 O 3 scaffold (Fig.…”

Effect of neodymium on the photoconversion efficiency of TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells

“…In another report by Wu et al [21] increase of 32 % photoconversion efficiency is found when compared with that of the DSSC without YF 3 :Eu 3? doping and correlated this increase due to the fact that dopant ions elevate the Fermi level of the TiO 2 film [21].…”

“…It is also reported that the 4f orbitals, in rare earth metal, increases the excited electron lifetime and slows down the recombination effect [22,28]. In another report by Wu et al [21] increase of 32 % photoconversion efficiency is found when compared with that of the DSSC without YF 3 :Eu 3? doping and correlated this increase due to the fact that dopant ions elevate the Fermi level of the TiO 2 film [21].…”

“…In another report by Wu et al [21] where they used europium ion doped yttrium fluoride in TiO 2 film as a luminescence medium for up-conversion of DSSC performance by increasing the incident harvest and photocurrent of DSSC. They reported light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 7.74 %, which is increased by 32 % as compared to that of the DSSC without doped TiO 2 .…”

A novel glowing electrolyte based on perylene accompany with spectrum compensation function for efficient dye sensitized solar cells

“…The high-energy photons are absorbed by the rare-earthdoped oxides and the energy is transferred to the sensitizers by spectrum conversion. Wu et al tried to make use of UV light by mixing a rare-earth-doped oxide (Eu 3þ -doped Y 2 O 3 ) colloid into the TiO 2 nanocrystalline film [11]. Gd 2 O 3 : Eu 3þ as a luminescence medium and p-type dopant was introduced into the DSSC by Xiao et al [12] Shen et al deposited NaGdF 4 :Eu nanocrystals on the front glass surface of as-prepared DSSC solar cell [13].…”