Preparation of Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ downconversion luminescent material and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ downconversion luminescent powder was prepared using the homogeneous precipitation method. Its optical properties were analyzed and it was introduced into a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). As a luminescence medium, Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ improved light harvesting via conversion luminescence and increased the photocurrent of the DSSC. As a p-type dopant insulating rare earth oxides form an energy barrier, and the Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ elevated the energy level of the oxide film and increased the photovoltage. The photoelectric conversion efficiency for a DSSC with Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ doping (6:100) reached 7.01%, which was 17.4% higher than the photoelectrical conversion efficiency of a DSSC without Gd 2O 3:Eu 3+ doping. © The Author(s) 2011.