Enhancement of UV absorption and near-infrared emission of Er3+ in Li2SrSiO4:Ce3+, Er3+ for Ge solar spectral convertor

Abstract A near-infrared emitting phosphor, Li2SrSiO4:Ce3+, Er3+, is developed as a potential solar spectral convertor for Ge solar cells. Structure and UV–Vis–NIR optical properties of Li2SrSiO4:Ce3+, Er3+ are investigated using the Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflection spectrum, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra at room temperature. These results show that Li2SrSiO4:Ce3+, Er3+ phosphor has intense absorption broadbands dominating at 360 nm which can efficiently facilite the UV part of the solar spectral when compared to Li2SrSiO4:Er3+. Furthermore, it can give an intense emission around 1530 nm via efficient energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Er3+, matching well with the optimal spectral response of Ge solar cells.