In Situ Generating YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ Downshifting Phosphors in SiO2 Antireflection Coating for Efficiency Enhancement and Ultraviolet Stability of Silicon Solar Cells

Abstract

Herein, a solid strategy to prepare bifunctional SiO2 coatings (BSCs) with both antireflection and luminescence downshifting properties by in situ generating YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ phosphors in SiO2 antireflection coatings (ARCs) is reported. Namely, a self‐prepared precursor solution of the downshifting phosphors is added to a mixture of commercial SiO2 sol solution and ethanol to uniformly coat the surface of quartz glass; therefore, a novel composite porous SiO2 coating containing in situ generated YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ phosphors (labeled SiO2@YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ coating) is formed on the glass surface after annealing. The SiO2@YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ BSCs can effectively convert ultraviolet (UV) region photons to visible photons that are well absorbed by silicon solar cells and have better transmittance than pure SiO2 ARC. As proof‐of‐concept applications, the as‐prepared optimal SiO2@YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ coating can effectively improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of tunnel oxide passivated contact solar cells by 0.18%abs and decrease the UV‐induced degradation value of the PCE of silicon heterojunction solar cells by 0.62%abs compared to the pure SiO2 ARC. The results demonstrate that in situ generating luminescence downshifting phosphors in the SiO2 ARC of photovoltaic glass is a promising way to improve the PCE and UV stability of silicon solar cells.