Broadband Ce(III)-Sensitized Quantum Cutting in Core-Shell Nanoparticles : Mechanistic Investigation and Photovoltaic Application

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Limin Jin
  • Bing Chen
  • Bo Fan
  • Bernard Moine
  • Xvsheng Qiao
  • Xianping Fan
  • Siu Fung Yu

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5099-5104
Journal / PublicationJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume8
Issue number20
Online published5 Oct 2017
Publication statusPublished - 19 Oct 2017

Abstract

Quantum cutting in lanthanide-doped luminescent materials is promising for applications such as solar cells, mercury-free lamps, and plasma panel displays because of the ability to emit multiple photons for each absorbed higher-energy photon. Herein, a broadband Ce3+-sensitized quantum cutting process in Nd3+ ions is reported though gadolinium sublattice-mediated energy migration in a NaGdF4:Ce@NaGdF4:Nd@NaYF4 nanostructure. The Nd3+ ions show downconversion of one ultraviolet photon through two successive energy transitions, resulting in one visible photon and one near-infrared (NIR) photon. A class of NaGdF4:Ce@NaGdF4:Nd/Yb@NaYF4 nanoparticles is further developed to expand the spectrum of quantum cutting in the NIR. When the quantum cutting nanoparticles are incorporated into a hybrid crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cell, a 1.2-fold increase in short-circuit current and a 1.4-fold increase in power conversion efficiency is demonstrated under short-wavelength ultraviolet irradiation. These insights should enhance our ability to control and utilize spectral downconversion with lanthanide ions.

Citation Format(s)

Broadband Ce(III)-Sensitized Quantum Cutting in Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Mechanistic Investigation and Photovoltaic Application. / Sun, Tianying; Chen, Xian; Jin, Limin et al.
In: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 8, No. 20, 19.10.2017, p. 5099-5104.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review