Light management using CsPbBr3 colloidal quantum dots for luminescent solar concentrators

Abstract

CsPbBr3 colloidal quantum dots have been synthesized by hot-injection method showing spherical shape with an average diameter of ∼10.5 nm. UV–vis absorption of CsPbBr3 colloidal quantum dots shows a broad spectrum with an optical bandgap of ∼2.3682 eV. The steady-state photoluminescence measurement reveals a narrow emission peak at 2.352 eV with full-width at half maximum of 0.113 eV. Absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of colloidal quantum dots dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) was found to be 60 ± 1%. The time-resolved photoluminescence data recorded at 266 nm excitation were well fitted using a mono-exponential curve with a decay time of 25.36 (5) ns. A luminescent solar concentrator was fabricated using colloidal quantum dots in transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer uniformly coated over glass substrate that shows an external optical conversion efficiency of ∼5.4% under one sun illumination. The experimental results presented in this manuscript reveals that luminescent solar concentrator prepared using colloidal CsPbBr3 quantum dots shows absorption in wide spectral range, high absorption coefficient, high photoluminescence quantum yield, high external optical conversion efficiency, and good photostability, thermal stability and long-term stability under ambient conditions and therefore are in many ways superior to the other luminescent materials explored for LSC devices.