Enhanced UV-Visible Absorption of Silicon Solar Cells Utilizing YAG:Ce3+ and Ba5Si2O6Cl6: Eu2+ Based on Spectral Down-Shifting.

Abstract

Spectral down-shifting materials can convert the less utilized photons in the solar spectrum into the portion that solar cells can fully utilize, providing an effective means of improving the efficiency of solar cells. In this work, the spectral down-shifting material Ba₅Si₂O₆Cl₆: Eu²⁺ (BSOC) was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state method. The fluorescence spectra indicate that the absorption spectrum of BSOC can cover the range of 210-500 nm, and has a strong emission spectrum with a broadband of 410-650 nm. The wider spectral characteristics make it convenient to utilize the solar spectrum efficiently. Additionally, the BSOC phosphors precisely compensate for the weak absorption of YAG: Ce³⁺ (YAG) phosphors below 425 nm. The YAG and BSOC phosphors were mixed, and the hybrid material has a wider absorption range (200-540 nm) compared to YAG or BSOC alone. Finally, the electrical properties of the packaged cells were tested, and the results showed that the packaged cells with hybrid materials had higher short-circuit current density and photoelectric conversion efficiency compared to YAG or BSOC alone. In addition, the efficiency of the packaged cells with hybrid materials increased from 19.54 to 20.08% compared with the bare cells, a relative increase of 2.760%.