Nano-domains assisted energy transfer in amphiphilic polymer conetworks for wearable luminescent solar concentrators

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years for their advantages in absorbing diffusive light and increasing the cost-effectiveness of solar cells; however, the compatibility with flexible photovoltaics and the energy transfer (ET) efficiency still require improvement. In this work, amphiphilic polymer conetworks (APCNs) are employed as polymer matrices for wearable LSCs owing to their flexibility and wearability. Furthermore, with the assistance of APCNs' nanophase separated hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, hydrophobic (Lumogen Red, acceptor) and hydrophilic (fluorescein, donor) luminescent materials are loaded in adjacent nanometer-separated domains. This results in high ET rates and broaden the acceptor's absorption range, rendering a more efficient down conversion emission. The re-emitted photons are monitored via geometry photoluminescence measurement and Monte Carlo ray tracing simulation, indicating the APCNs LSC vertically-tandem attached to the flexible photovoltaics can effectively increase the light absorbing area and be beneficial to the optimal utilization of incident light.