Dual functional YVO_4:Eu~(3+) ,Bi~(3+) @SiO_2 submicron-sized core-shell particles for dye-sensitized solar cells: Light scattering and downconversion

摘要

Submicron-sized YVO_4:Bi~(3+),Bi~(3+) were prepared using a hydrothcrmal method, and the YVO_4:Eu~(3+) ,Bi~(3+) @SiO_2 core-shell particles were fabricated by a sol-gel method. These particles were embedded in the photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. The embedded YVO_4:Bi~(3+), Bi~(3+)@SiO_2 particles not only enhanced light scattering within the photoanode, but were also able to downconvert ultraviolet light to visible light. The enhanced light scattering can greatly extend the light traveling distance within the photoanode, while the ultraviolet-visible downconversion property can effectively improve the utilization efficiency of short wavelength photons by the dye-sensitized solar cells. The embedded submicron-sized YVO_4:Bi~(3+),Bi~(3+)@SiO_2 particles increased the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell by about 64% from 3.6% to 5.9%.