Broadband Sensitized Near-Infrared Quantum Cutting Materials for Silicon Solar Cells: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Silicon solar cells are currently the most widely used type, accounting for more than 90% of the commercial market. However, the spectral mismatch between the solar spectrum and the absorption spectra of the cells is the main cause restricting their conversion efficiency, which cannot exceed the Shockley–Queisser limit. Quantum cutting can convert one high-energy photon into two or more low-energy photons and reduce the energy loss of the high-energy photons, providing a way to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of silicon solar cells. The unique electronic configuration of rare-earth elements gives them excellent optical properties and makes them good candidates for the luminescent centers of quantum cutting materials. This article reviews their luminescence mechanism, energy transfer (ET) mechanism, and application in silicon solar cells and outlines the potential problems of broadband-sensitized near-infrared (NIR) quantum cutting materials. Some key issues and future directions are also discussed.