Progress in phosphors and filters for luminescent solar concentrators

Boer, Dick K. G. de; Broer, Dirk J.; Debije, Michael G.; Keur, W.; Meijerink, Andries; Ronda, Cees; Verbunt, Paul P. C.

doi:10.1364/oe.20.00a395

Cited by 73 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…[44,45,[78][79][80][81] In LSC applications, organic emitters such as europium tris(2-thenoyl trifluoro acetonate)-di(triphenylphosphine oxide (Eu(TTA) 3 (TPPO) 2 ) have been demonstrated, where light is absorbed by the central organic ligand, energy is transferred to Eu 3+ and then emitted as photons by the Eu 3+ ion. [76] There have also been a number of demonstrations of rare-earth ions (e.g., Ce 3+ , Eu 2+ , Eu 3+ , Sm 2+ , and Tm 2+ ) [82][83][84][85] directly embedded into a variety inorganic hosts. While the UV absorption combined with large luminescent downshifts (>200 nm) and sharp emission peaks (<20 nm) makes Eu(TTA) 3 (TPPO) 2 and other ions potentially suitable for the UV LSC, the emission spectrum shown to date peak in the visible range that results in luminescence based tinting combined with narrow absorption bands.…”

Section: Wwwadvopticalmatdementioning

confidence: 99%

Limits of Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Yang

Lunt

2017

Advanced Optical Materials

113

100

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surfaces into energy harvesting resources. This new approach to visibly transparent LSCs was developed by exploiting the nature of excitonic semiconductors to optimize the use of this light-exposed surface area without compromising its existing functionality, thereby avoiding the aesthetic tradeoffs that can hinder adoption. Recent work has demonstrated devices that selectively harvest different parts of the solar spectrum including i) ultraviolet (UV) absorption, with massive downconverted luminescence deeper into the NIR (>400 nm) [4] and ii) near-infrared (NIR) absorption, with even deeper luminescence in the NIR. [3] This work has been subsequently followed by a number of other groups. [8][9][10][11][12] In contrast to transparent photovoltaics, which have also been developed to exploit this untapped area, [13][14][15] this new concentrator approach offers an alternative pathway whereby energy is transported optically, offering a simple route to large-area manufacturing, high defect tolerance, angle independent performance, and low-level energy cost. In this progress report we discuss the theoretical limits of transparent LSCs, idealized configurations, scalability, and properties of enabling materials. Operating Principles of LSCsLuminescent solar concentrators operate based on the following mechanisms (see Figure 1a): a portion of solar spectrum is absorbed in a luminescent dye (or "luminophore") [16] embedded in a transparent waveguide. That absorbed solar energy is then re-emitted at another wavelength isotropically in all directions within the waveguide, provided the oscillators are not preferentially oriented. Due to the index of refraction difference between the waveguide and the ambient environment the re-emitted photons are predominately trapped by total internal reflection, causing them to be directed towards the waveguide edges where they can be converted to electrical power in an edge mounted photovoltaic cell. The overall system power conversion efficiency, η LSC , is then given by:where η Opt is the optical efficiency (number of photons reaching the waveguide edge)/(number of photons incident on the waveguide), R is the front face reflection, η Abs is the solar spectrum Visibly transparent solar harvesting surfaces are an exciting new approach to harvesting solar energy around buildings and mobile electronics to improve their efficiency and autonomy without impacting their appearance. The recent demonstration of ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) selective light harvesters have enabled transparent luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that boast unparalleled scalability, flexibility, aesthetic quality, and affordability. Consequently, the question of the efficiency limits has emerged in these new systems. In this perspective, the theoretical efficiency limits of these concentrator systems are reviewed and practical considerations are outlined to approach these limits. For UV and UV/NIR selective harvesting single-junction transparent LSCs are constrained thermodynamically to 21%, which i...

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Section: Wwwadvopticalmatdementioning

confidence: 99%

Limits of Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Yang

Lunt

2017

Advanced Optical Materials

113

100

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“…Reducing the number of re-absorptions, while simultaneously maintaining a high absorption of incident light could be achieved by placing lenses on top of the patterned waveguides [23] or by using luminophores with little or no overlap between the absorption and emission bands, such as complexes of rare-earth ions with organic ligands [24], quantum dots [25] or phosphors [26].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators after application of organic wavelength selective mirrors

Verbunt¹,

Tsoi²,

Debije³

et al. 2012

Opt. Express

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Organic wavelength-selective mirrors are used to reduce the loss of emitted photons through the surface of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). A theoretical calculation suggests that application of a 400 nm broad reflector on top of an LSC containing BASF Lumogen Red 305 as a luminophore can reflect 91% of all surface emitted photons back into the device. Used in this way, such broad reflectors could increase the edgeemission efficiency of the LSC by up to 66%. Similarly, 175 nm broad reflectors could increase efficiency up to 45%. Measurements demonstrate more limited effectiveness and dependency on the peak absorbance of the LSC. At higher absorbance, the increased number of internal re-absorption events reduces the effectiveness of the reflectors, leading to a maximum increase in LSC efficiency of ~5% for an LSC with a peak absorbance of 1. Reducing re-absorption by reducing dye concentration or the coverage of the luminophore coating results in an increase in LSC efficiency of up to 30% and 27%, respectively.

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“…The two-dimensional configuration is expected to find application in light tiles, whereas the one-dimensional configuration is potentially useful for high-brightness side-emitting light sources. Further possible applications are in luminescent solar concentrators, in which sunlight is converted to longer-wavelength light that is guided to small solar cells [18][19][20][21]. In that case, using directional emission, escape losses could be reduced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Directional sideward emission from luminescent plasmonic nanostructures

Boer¹,

Verschuuren²,

Ke³

et al. 2016

Opt. Express

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Periodic arrays of metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the emission of light in certain directions. We fabricated hexagonal arrays of aluminium nanoparticles combined with thin layers of luminescent material and optimized period (275 nm) and thickness (1500 nm) to obtain sideward directional emission into glass for a wavelength band around 620 nm. The key physics is that the luminescent layer acts as a waveguide, from which light is emitted at preferential angles using diffractive effects. This phenomenon has applications in the field of solid-state lighting, where there is a desire for small, bright and directional sources.

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Progress in phosphors and filters for luminescent solar concentrators

Cited by 73 publications

References 27 publications

Limits of Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Limits of Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Increased efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators after application of organic wavelength selective mirrors

Directional sideward emission from luminescent plasmonic nanostructures

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