Gd2(MoO4)3:Er(3+) nanophosphors for an enhancement of silicon solar-cell near-infrared response.

In an attempt to take full advantage of near-infrared part of the solar spectrum, Gd(2)(MoO(4))(3):Er(3+) nanophosphors have been proposed as potential luminescent materials to enhance the response of the silicon solar-cell. Upon excitation with low-energy near-infrared photons, intense upconverted emissions at 545, 665, 800, and 980 nm, for which energies higher than the bandgap of silicon solar-cell, have been achieved with conversion efficiencies of 0.12%, 0.05%, 0.83%, and 1.35%, respectively. Development of nanophosphors for photovoltaic purposes could open up an approach in achieving high-efficiency silicon-based solar-cell by means of the up-conversion of the sub-bandgap near-infrared part of the solar spectrum (E < 1.12 eV) to visible/near-infrared photons.