Enhanced Near-Infrared Luminescence in Ba3Y(BO3)3: Nd3+ by Codoping with Ce3+

Silicon solar cells are still dominating the solar cell market due to its mature technology, but its efficiency was limited due to its ineffective response to solar spectrum. Phosphor could modify the solar spectrum by transferring the Sunlight that cannot be effectively used to optimal response range of silicon solar cell. Here, Ba3Y(BO3)(3): Ce3+, Nd3+ with near-infrared (NIR) emission were prepared via solid-state reaction route, which offer wide blue-violet light of Ce3+ ions and intense near-infrared light of Nd3+ ions locating at the maximal spectral response of silicon solar cell. The near-infrared emission intensity of Ce3+-Nd3+ sample was increased in comparison with that of Nd3+ single-doped sample, which show that Ce3+ act as an efficient sensitizer with broad absorption cross-section. The energy transfer mechanism was also analyzed. Results reveal that Ba3Y(BO3)(3): Ce3+, Nd3+ co-doped phosphor have promising applications as solar spectral convertor for silicon-based solar cells.

Automated summary

The Ba3Y(BO3)(3): Ce3+, Nd3+ phosphor with NIR emission can improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells by transferring sunlight to the optimal response range of the cells. Ce3+ acts as an efficient sensitizer with broad absorption cross-section, making it a promising application for solar spectral conversion in silicon-based solar cells.