New insight into rare-earth doped gadolinium molybdate nanophosphor assisted broad spectral converters from UV to NIR for silicon solar cells

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized rare-earth doped gadolinium molybdate Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 :Re 3+ (Re 3+ ¼ Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ , Tm 3+ and Er 3+ /Yb 3+ ) nanophosphors for solar cell application as a broad spectral converter from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near infrared (NIR) regions in a single host lattice using a facile solid state reaction method. The gross structure, surface morphology and microstructure of these nanophosphors have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission/high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM) techniques , respectively. and Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 :Tm 3+ nanophosphors demonstrate a strong green emission at 541 nm and a deep blue emission at 453 nm upon an excitation wavelength of 378 nm and 266 nm, respectively. Moreover, the upconversion characteristic of the Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 :Er 3+ /Yb 3+ nanophosphor exhibits strong green emission at 545 nm and red emission at 657 nm corresponding to 4 S 3/2 -4 I 15/2 and 4 F 9/2 -4 I 15/2 transitions respectively. Furthermore, the Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 :Er 3+ /Yb 3+ upconversion nanophosphor emits in the NIR spectrum region at 994 nm upon a 980 nm excitation wavelength. Hence, the obtained PL emission results with a lifetime in milliseconds reveal that these nanophosphors could be futuristic promising broad spectral converter phosphors which may possibly integrate with the next-generation Si-solar cell to enhance the efficiency of the cell.

Enhanced green emissions of Er3+/Yb3+ co‐doped Gd2(MoO4)3 by co‐excited up‐conversion processes

“…[20][21][22] Besides the sensitizer and activator, the host matrix also plays an important role in up-conversion luminescence. Because of its low toxicity, thermal stability and high photo-chemical stability, [23][24][25][26] Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 was chosen as the host matrix in our work.…”

“…[20][21][22] Besides the sensitizer and activator, the host matrix also plays an important role in up-conversion luminescence. Because of its low toxicity, thermal stability and high photo-chemical stability, [23][24][25][26] Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 was chosen as the host matrix in our work.In this work, we greatly increase the green emissions of Abbreviations used: I 980 , the integral intensity of green emissions under excitation with a 980 nm; I 808 , the integral intensity of green emissions under excitation with a 808 nm laser; I 980+808 , integral intensity of green emissions under co-excitation with both the 980 and 808 nm lasers; TEM, transmission electron microscopy; XRD, X-ray diffraction. …”

Small-size and monodispersed red-emitting Pr3+ doped barium molybdate nanocrystals with ultrahigh color purity

“…Some efforts have been done to develop nano-sized phosphors for avoiding the negative effects of particle scattering. [13][14][15][16][17] However, it remains a great challenge to prepare small-size and non-aggregated rare earth doped nanophosphors because the synthesis of insulating nanoparticles is hindered by the high lattice energy and low solubility of oxides in both aqueous and nonaqueous solvents.…”

Nd3+ sensitized Yb3+ luminescence in oleic acid functionalized LaF3: Nd3+Yb3+ nanoparticles

“…A spectrum shifting coating which absorbs energy below 950 nm and above 1100 nm and converts to 950 nm-1100 nm can be used to solve this problem of solar spectrum mismatch [2]. In order to achieve that luminescence processes like upconversion, quantum-cutting, and down-converting are currently explored for developing efficient photovoltaic devices [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”