Ultraviolet-wavelength driven solar spectral converter for photovoltaic cell application

Realizing an excellent spectral response by utilizing the ultraviolet parts of solar radiation is an important focus for enhancing the performance of photovoltaic cells (PCs). Pr3+ and Eu3+ ions co-doped multifunctional transparent GdPO4 glass-ceramic is successfully prepared using a conventional melting quenching technique. In GdPO4: Pr3+-Eu3+, ultraviolet to visible downshifting is realized via the remarkable energy transfer from Pr3+ to Eu3+ ions by bridge Gd3+ ions. Introducing the spectral conversion material by converting ultra-violet photons into visible photons is considered a very promising route; it can be applied to perovskite PCs by reducing the photo-degradation and enhancing the light harvesting, and it can be applied to hydrogenated amorphous-silicon carbide PCs by reducing the solar energy losses associated with spectral mismatch of the spectral response and energy. The development of downshifting Pr3+-Eu3+ co-doped glass-ceramics might open up a new approach to achieving a better performance of photovoltaic devices.