Realizing broadband spectral conversion in novel Ce3+,Cr3+,Ln(3+) (Ln = Yb, Nd, Er) tridoped near-infrared phosphors via multiple energy transfers

摘要

The solar spectral converters mainly involve the energy transfer between two codoped ions. Here, we report a series of Ce3+, Cr3+, Ln(3+) (Ln = Yb, Nd, Er) tridoped Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 (GSGO) phosphors with improved absorption and increasing near infrared (NIR) emission. We observed the multiple energy transfer behaviors of Cr3+-> Ln(3+), Ce3+-> Ln(3+), Ce3+-> Cr3+, and Ce3+-> Cr3+-> Ln(3+) in GSGO matrix. When Ce3+ is introduced into the GSGO:Cr3+, Ln(3+) phosphors, the energy transfer of Ce3+-> Cr3+-> Ln(3+) has been realized by utilizing the energy transfer bridge of the Cr3+ ion. Consequently, GSGO:Ce3+,Cr3+,Ln(3+) can absorb almost all ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) light and produce strong NIR light thanks to the synergistic effect of Ce3+-> Cr3+-> Ln(3+), improving the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of c-Si solar cells. Our results show that the prepared GSGO:Ce3+,Cr3+,Ln(3+) have the potential application in the solar spectral material for c-Si solar cells. Meanwhile, the strategy of multiple energy transfers gives a new way to design the spectral conversion materials with wider absorption for c-Si solar cells.