Down-shifting spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ doped BaGd2ZnO5 phosphors

• High quantum efficiency material BaGd2ZnO5: Ce3+, Yb3+ was obtained.
• The high energy transfer efficiency was proved by BaGd2ZnO5: Er3+, Yb3+ phosphors.
• The IQE may be up to approximately 300%.

Yb3+ doped BaGd2ZnO5 phosphor was synthesized via sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectra were employed to characterize the as-obtained products. Upon 274 nm excitation, a single strong narrow-band emission from 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 of Yb3+ ion around 977 nm was obtained in Yb3+ doped BaGd2ZnO5 phosphor, which was well suited to efficient absorption in a silicon solar cell. After adding Ce3+ into Yb3+-doped BaGd2ZnO5, the excitation spectra of samples monitored at 977 nm indicated that the excitation peaks were in the broad range from 230 nm to 400 nm, which covered ultraviolet and blue light with poor solar cell spectral response. Furthermore, Er3+ was introduced into Yb3+-doped BaGd2ZnO5 phosphor to prove the high energy transfer efficiency from Gd3+ ion to Yb3+ ion by comparing it with that of Er3+ ion to Yb3+ ion. With access to broad-band absorption, narrow-band emission as well as high energy transfer efficiency, Ce3+, Yb3+-codoped BaGd2ZnO5 may have potential applications in modifying the solar spectrum to enhance the efficiency of silicon solar cells.