High‐performance hybrid luminescent‐scattering solar concentrators based on a luminescent conjugated polymer

Abstract

AbstractLuminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are considered a promising building‐integrated photovoltaic technology. Over the past decade, numerous luminophores have been developed for LSCs. However, conjugated polymers are rarely reported for LSCs despite their wide application in other fields. In this study, we investigated a luminescent conjugated polymer, poly(naphthalene‐alt‐vinylene) (PNV), for LSCs. PNV exhibits an absorption wavelength (λabs) of 535 nm, an emission wavelength (λem) of 632 nm and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 0.40 in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix. When tested under outdoor direct sunlight (1000 W m−2 ± 10%) and indoor diffuse light‐emitting diode (LED) light (10 W m−2 ± 10%), the PNV‐based LSCs with a size of 12 in. (30.48 cm) exhibited power conversion efficiencies (ηLSC) of up to 2.9% and 3.6%, respectively, and concentration ratios (C) of up to 1.49 and 3.53, respectively. The external quantum efficiencies of the LSCs and the edge emission spectra of the luminescent waveguides were analyzed to reveal the impact of surface scattering treatment on device performance. Monte Carlo ray‐tracing simulation was employed to project the performance of large‐area LSCs with sizes of up to 120 in. (304.8 cm). For the LSCs under outdoor direct sunlight and indoor diffuse LED light, the projected ηLSC values were 1.29% and 0.88%, respectively, and the projected C values were 6.73 and 8.62, respectively. This study suggests that high‐performance LSCs can be achieved through luminescent conjugated polymers. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry