Core/Shell Quantum-Dot-Based Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Abstract

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) can serve as large-area sunlight collectors, suitable for applications in high-efficiency and low-cost energy conversion devices. LSCs can also provide adaptability to the needs of architects for building-integrated photovoltaics, which makes them an attractive option for structural buildings as transparent or nontransparent electricity generators. The optical efficiency of large-area LSCs significantly depends on the optical properties of the fluorophores. Among various types of fluorophores used in LSCs, core/shell quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates as a new type of absorber/emitter in LSCs, due to their size-tunable wide absorption spectrum, narrow emission spectrum, high quantum yield, and structure-engineered large Stokes shift compared to organic dyes and polymers. In this chapter, we first introduce the working principle of an LSC, and then we discuss the design and synthesis of core/shell QDs with high Stokes shift and high fluorescence quantum yield, and core/shell structure-dependent band energy alignment. We further discuss in details the relationship between structure and optical properties, which is a key requirement for their applications in LSCs. We conclude with a detailed account of the latest research progress in structure, materials, and performance of LSCs based on colloidal core/shell QDs and a further perspective on the remaining key issues and open opportunities in the field.