Tuning solar absorption spectra via carbon quantum dots/VAE composite layer and efficiency enhancement for crystalline Si solar module

Abstract

In this work, fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) composite transparent film with blue emission was prepared via hydrothermal fabrication, mixing with vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) emulsion, coated and cross-linked on the glass in sequence.This CQD/VAE film has good sticking ability and compatibility of sealing ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) material and works well as luminescent downshifting (LDS) materials. Based on these features, we did a set of optical characteristics analysis for CQD/VAE film and inserted a CQD/VAE film between glass and EVA encapsulation in a mini metal wrap through (MWT) solar module. This LDS could convert UV part of solar spectra, which are normally blocked by EVA, into the blue range and improve the light absorption by solar cell. Enhancement in the performance of solar modules was proved, especially the improvement of current of short circuit (I sc ), external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the UV wavelength and solar module efficiency. This material provides the chance for prompt application, since it simply solves the dispersion problem of LDS material inside encapsulation and keeps the transparency of sealing polymer materials.

PMMA Thin Film with Embedded Carbon Quantum Dots for Post-Fabrication Improvement of Light Harvesting in Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Figure 4c shows EQE spectra of a device measured before and after application of a CQD@PMMA coating. The comparison of EQE spectra indicates that after deposition of the CQD@PMMA coating, the EQE response of the device in the blue region has improved [8][9][10]. The calculated J SC from EQE spectra obtained before and after deposition of the CQD@PMMA coating results in values of 16.31 mA cm −2 and 17.14 mA cm −2 , respectively, which exhibits the consistent improvement in J SC for the device after deposition of the CQD@PMMA coating.…”

“…Such a unique optical property of CQDs combined with their low-cost synthesis, non-toxicity, and chemical inertness make them very attractive for electronics, sensing, and bioimaging applications [5][6][7]. For example, carbon and graphene quantum dots were utilized recently for light management in silicon-based solar cells [8,9]. In both cases, the authors reported enhancement in the performance of silicon-based solar cells, owing to the carbon/graphene quantum dots coatings that emit additional down-converted photons in the visible spectrum.…”

Bandgap-Tuned CuInS2/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots for a Luminescent Downshifting Layer in a Crystalline Silicon Solar Module

“…EVA has been proposed as a good candidate for the host material of the LDS layer. This resin is frequently used as an encapsulant in solar modules because of its high gas-barrier properties and negligible optical absorption loss. , The influence of the fabricated LDS films on the performance of a single c-Si solar module was investigated by changing the QD concentration.…”

Current status and perspective of colored photovoltaic modules

“…The incorporation of fluorescent dye led to a 0.5-2% improvement in the short circuit current of the PV cell. Thereafter, the EQE enhancement of the PV module was reported by employing various LDS luminophores, namely organic dye-doped polymer layer, nanocrystal inorganic QDs, carbon dots, lanthanide metal doped oxide, metal oxide nanoparticles, and others, as shown in Figure 16c (Apostoluk et al, 2014;Bella et al, 2016;Dai et al, 2019;Gardelis & Nassiopoulou, 2014;Jalalah et al, 2018;Kalytchuk et al, 2014…”