Application of upconversion luminescence in dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Chinese science bulletin 2011, Vol.56 (1), p.96-101
• Main Authors: Xie, GuiXiang, Lin, JianMing, Wu, JiHuai, Lan, Zhang, Li, QingHua, Xiao, YaoMing, Yue, GenTian, Yue, HaiFeng, Huang, MiaoLiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry/Food Science; Dyes; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Fermi surfaces; Humanities and Social Sciences; Life Sciences; Luminescence; multidisciplinary; Photoelectric effect; Photovoltaic cells; Physics; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Solar cells; Titanium dioxide; Upconversion; 上转换发光; 二氧化钛粉末; 二氧化钛纳米晶; 最佳性能; 染料敏化太阳能电池; 能量转换效率; 费米能级
• ISSN: 1001-6538; 1861-9541
• DOI: 10.1007/s11434-010-4115-2

An upconversion luminescence powder TiO2：（Er^3＋, Yb^3＋） is prepared by a hydrothermal method and used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cell （DSSC）. The TiO2：（Er^3＋, Yb^3＋） powder undergoes upconversion luminescence, converting infrared light which the dye can not absorb into visible light with wavelengths of 510-700 nm which the dye can absorb, increasing the photocurrent of the DSSC. TiO2：（Er^3＋, Yb^3＋） also acts as a p-type dopant, heightening the Fermi level of the oxide film, which increases the photovoltage of the DSSC. The best performance of the DSSC is found when the ratio of TiO2/luminescence powder is 1/3 in the luminescence layer. Under simulated solar irradiation of 100 mW cm^-2 （AM 1.5）, the DSSC containing TiO2：（Er^3＋, Yb^3＋） doping achieves a light-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency of 7.28% compared with 6.41% for the undoped DSSC.