Luminescent solar concentrator employing rare earth complex with zero self-absorption loss

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) employing Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2 (europium tris(2-thenoyl trifluoro acetonate)-di(triphenylphosphine oxide)) was fabricated in our work firstly, and then its current–voltage (I–V) performance under AM1.5G radiation with different radiation area were measured and compared with that of LSC employing dye. As there is no overlap between absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2, it is found that the power conversion efficiency of LSC employing Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2 decreases ten times slower than that of LSC employing dye reported with the increment of radiation area under AM1.5G. To accurately characterize the zero self-absorption loss of LSC employing rare earth complex more, external quantum efficiency (EQE) was also measured and simulated theoretically. When experiment data is compared with theoretical simulation, the measured EQE data at 380 nm is found to well coincide with theoretical result by taking host absorption loss into consideration. And the conclusion could be drawn that rare earth complex obviously shows zero self-absorption loss in use of LSC system and is proposed as a potential candidate for increasing the LSC efficiency.

► We fabricated a LSC employing with Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2.
► I–V and EQE performances are measured under AM1.5G.
► Its conversion efficiency decreases ten times slower than LSC employing dye.
► Its EQE measurement coincides with the theoretical simulated result well.
► Rare earth complex shows zero self-absorption loss in use of LSC system.