The Renaissance of Luminescent Solar Concentrators: The Role of Inorganic Nanomaterials

Abstract

While luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have a simple architecture—a transparent matrix embedding a luminescent fluorophore coupled with solar cells at the lateral side of the LSC slab—multiple paths for possible light losses exist. These are inherently interconnected, and in the past, limited the interest in this device, due to the gap between the theoretical possibilities and experimental achievements. This gap was a result, primarily, of the optical features of the luminescent dyes, since conventional organic luminophores are affected by limited performance in LSC devices. The rise of a wide portfolio of optically active inorganic nanomaterials in the last decade provides an alternative to organic dyes and has lead to a renaissance in the role of LSCs among the unconventional solar energy conversion devices. This paper reviews the latest results in the development of LSCs based on different classes of nanomaterials, focusing on the specific features and critically analyzing the pros and cons of the proposed structures. Particular attention is devoted to the role of the luminescence properties, e.g., the Stokes shift and the photoluminescence quantum yield, with respect to the performance of the LSC device. Future challenges to the successful employment of these devices for building integrated photovoltaics are also discussed.

Luminescent Solar Collectors: Quo Vadis?

“…Interest in QD emitters is motivated by a combination of several specific properties such as the possibility to modulate the absorption threshold by the control of the diameter of the dots, a high φ PL , and high stability. [139] The applications of QDs in solar technologies have been presented in recent reviews [140][141][142][143][144] and this paragraph will mostly discuss recent experimental results on QDs-based LSCs. QDs were initially modelized as possible emitters for LSCs by Barnham and co-workers at the turn of the millennium.…”

Host Matrix Materials for Luminescent Solar Concentrators: Recent Achievements and Forthcoming Challenges

“…This parameter provides a direct estimation of the fundamental properties of a LSC (i.e., to collect and concentrate incident light) as it is directly influenced by all intrinsic loss mechanisms occurring to photons prior to being successfully collected at the edges of the waveguide (Debije and Verbunt, 2012;Moraitis et al, 2018). To tackle some of these loss mechanisms, research in the field of LSCs has been traditionally driven by the development of highly emissive luminescent species and by the engineering of more efficient device assemblies, as recently summarized in some excellent review articles (Debije and Verbunt, 2012;McKenna and Evans, 2017;Mazzaro and Vomiero, 2018;Pucci, 2018).…”

Recent Developments in Solar Energy-Harvesting Technologies for Building Integration and Distributed Energy Generation

“…The necessity of developing the new, windowsbased distributed generation networks to future-proof the urban areas, power the Internet of Things (IOT) revolution, and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels has also been widely recognised [26]. This is further confirmed by the ongoing research, development, and investment momentum now continuing in this area and all related materials science areas worldwide [30][31][32][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. The value of developing highly-transparent solar windows is related to multiple unique qualities these systems can bring about.…”