Light Management Investigation of Transparent DSSC based on Ln3+ ion doped BaO-ZnF2-B2O3-TeO2 Glass (Ln3+ = Dy3+/Sm37Eu3+) as UV Down-conversion Material

Abstract

Solar irradiance to electrical energy conversion could be achieved via photoelectric effect using solar cells device. However, not all solar wavelengths could be captured and converted by the active layer of solar cell. The absorption limitation associated with the bandgap energy of solar cell active layer in the ultraviolet region (high photon energy) and infrared region (low photon energy) leads to 70% energy loss. Introducing a material that can convert higher photon energy to lower photon energy that is suitable with the bandgap energy of the solar cell provides a solution to this problem. In the present work, glass materials based on BaO, ZnF2, B2O3, TeO2, and Ln2O3 (Ln2O3 = Dy2O3, Sm2O3, and Eu2O3) were developed using conventional melt and quenching technique and applied as down-conversion (DC) element in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The absorption spectra of Z907 as dye photosensitizer was measured as well as the absorption spectra of DC glass. The DC glass emission spectra were also investigated to know the compatibility between the absorption of solar cell and the emission band of the DC glass. The current-voltage of the DSSC was measured while placing the DC glass on top of the solar cell device. The electrical parameters, such as power conversion efficiency, fill factor, short-circuit current, and open-circuit voltage, were then determined to analyze the effect of DC glass application on the performance of DSSC. DC glass with 1.5Eu produced an efficiency of 2.03%, showing the best result among other lanthanide ions.