Near-infrared quantum cutting platform in thermally stable phosphate phosphors for solar cells.

This study investigated the photoluminescent properties of Tb(3+)-Yb(3+)-, Ce(3+)-Tb(3+)-Yb(3+)-, and Eu(2+)-Yb(3+)-doped KSrPO4. The samples were prepared by a solid-state reaction with various doping concentrations. Emission at near-infrared range was focused on the application of luminescent solar concentrator for solar cells. Quantum cutting (QC) energy transfer was confirmed by the lifetimes of the donor. Near-infrared QC involved emission of Yb(3+) ions was achieved by excitation of Ce(3+), Tb(3+), and Eu(2+) ions, where the energy transfer processes occurred from Ce(3+) to Tb(3+) to Yb(3+), Tb(3+) to Yb(3+), and Eu(2+) to Yb(3+), respectively. In addition, the concentration quenching effect of Yb(3+) ions was avoided by low doping concentrations. The overall quantum efficiencies were calculated, and the maximum efficiency reaches 139%. The energy diagrams for divalent and trivalent rare-earth ions in KSrPO4 host lattice were analyzed. Results of this study demonstrate that heat-stable phosphate phosphors are promising candidates for increasing the efficiency of silicon-based solar cells.