Enhancement of a-Si:H solar cell efficiency by Y2O3 : Yb3+, Er3+ near infrared spectral upconverter

Kurias K. Markose; Anjana R.; Subha P. P.; Aldrin Antony; M. K. Jayaraj

doi:10.1117/12.2237549

23 September 2016 Enhancement of a-Si:H solar cell efficiency by Y₂O₃ : Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ near infrared spectral upconverter

Kurias K. Markose, Anjana R., Subha P. P., Aldrin Antony, M. K. Jayaraj

Proceedings Volume 9937, Next Generation Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion VII; 99370X (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237549
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics for Sustainable Energy, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The optical properties of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ upconversion phosphor and the enhancement of efficiency of a-Si:H solar cell on incorporation of upconverter are investigated. The Y₂O₃ host material has high corrosion resistance, thermal stability, chemical stability, low toxicity and relatively low phonon energy (≈ 500 cm^-1). Y₂O₃:Yb³⁺ (x %): Er³⁺ (y %) upconversion nanophosphors with different dopant concentrations were synthesized via simple hydrothermal method followed by a heat treatment at 1200°C for 12 hrs. Highly crystalline, quasi-spherical, body centered cubic Y₂O₃ structure was obtained. The structure, phase and morphology of the nanocrystals were determined using x-ray diffraction and SEM. Following pumping at 980 nm two dominant emission bands were observed at about 550 nm(green) and 660 nm(red), corresponding to ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions respectively. The dependence of emission intensity on pump power shows that the mechanism involved is two photon absorption. The upconversion phosphor along with a binder is coupled behind the a-Si:H solar cell which absorbs transmitted sub-band-gap photons and emits back the upconverted visible light which can be absorbed by the solar cell. Under suitable intensity of illumination the solar cell short circuit current is found to be increased on adding the upconversion layer.

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Kurias K. Markose, Anjana R., Subha P. P., Aldrin Antony, and M. K. Jayaraj "Enhancement of a-Si:H solar cell efficiency by Y₂O₃ : Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ near infrared spectral upconverter", Proc. SPIE 9937, Next Generation Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion VII, 99370X (23 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237549

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KEYWORDS

Solar cells

Upconversion

Ytterbium

Luminescence

Solar energy

Erbium

Near infrared

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