Broadband sensitization of downconversion phosphor YPO4 by optimizing TiO2 substitution in host lattice co-doped with Pr 3+-Yb3+ ion-couple

Abstract

This study demonstrates a feasible and efficient route to alleviate the absorption problem of the terrestrial solar spectrum and enhance broadband luminescence from a promising down conversion powder phosphor YPO4 co-doped with Pr3+-Yb3+ lanthanide ion-couple: incorporating a third sensitizing transition metal ion, e.g., Ti4+. The x-ray powder diffraction results confirm the lattice substitution by the solid-state reaction doping rather than the formation of any secondary phase. The emission spectral results and the luminescence decay curve analysis show that the downconversion luminescence can be enhanced by 200%-300% and the quantum efficiency enhanced by more than 20% at the wavelength of around 980nm, the best response spectrum for Si-based solar cells, by optimizing TiO 2 doping concentration at 7mol. %. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.