Abstract
Skylights and windows are building openings that enhance human comfort and well-being in various ways. Recently, a massive drive is witnessed to replace traditional openings with building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems to generate power in a bid to reduce buildings’ energy. The problem with most of the BIPV glazing lies in the obstruction of occupants’ vision of the outdoor view. In order to resolve this problem, new technology has emerged that utilizes quantum dots semiconductors (QDs) in glazing systems. QDs can absorb and re-emit the incoming radiation in the desired direction with the tunable spectrum, which renders them favorable for building integration. By redirecting the radiation towards edges of the glazing, they can be categorized as luminescent solar concentrators (QD-LSCs) that can help to generate electricity while maintaining transparency in the glazing. The aim of this paper is to review the different properties of core/shell quantum dots and their potential applications in buildings. Literature from various disciplines was reviewed to establish correlations between the optical and electrical properties of different types, sizes, thicknesses, and concentration ratios of QDs when used in transparent glazing. The current article will help building designers and system integrators assess the merits of integrating QDs on windows/skylights with regards to energy production and potential impact on admitted daylighting and visual comfort.
Highlights
Buildings’ openings are considered a crucial element to visually connect to the outside and admit daylighting to the indoor spaces
Bergren [73] developed luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) with near infrared (NIR)-emitting CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots semiconductors (QDs) to be integrated into buildings light (Figure 15a,b)
The review discussed the effect of different variables
Summary
Buildings’ openings are considered a crucial element to visually connect to the outside and admit daylighting to the indoor spaces. The most promising technique is to use QDs that help to improve energy production by involving better sunlight absorption and re-emission in the desired direction [3,4]. The general principle when QDs are applied on glazing systems involves the absorption of refracted incident light that reaches the surface, and re-emission at tuned frequencies in the desired direction. This causes a release of photons that can travel to the edge of the glazing material with a total internal reflection (TIR) to be collected for energy production or could reflect internally within the device surface. QDs consist of of a metalloid crystalline core covered with organic outside layer [5,6]. Additional layer called a metalloid crystalline core covered with an an organic outside layer
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