title: Dual functions of YF₃:Eu³⁺ for improving photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.
abstract: In order to enhance the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a novel design is demonstrated by introducing rare-earth compound europium ion doped yttrium fluoride (YF₃:Eu³⁺) in TiO₂ film in the DSSC. As a conversion luminescence medium, YF₃:Eu³⁺ transfers ultraviolet light to visible light via down-conversion, and increases incident harvest and photocurrent of DSSC. As a p-type dopant, Eu³⁺ elevates the Fermi level of TiO₂ film and thus heightens photovoltage of the DSSC. The conversion luminescence and p-type doping effect are demonstrated by photoluminescence spectra and Mott-Schottky plots. When the ratio of YF₃:Eu³⁺/TiO₂ in the doping layer is optimized as 5 wt.%, the light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC reaches 7.74%, which is increased by 32% compared to that of the DSSC without YF₃:Eu³⁺ doping. Double functions of doped rare-earth compound provide a new route for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Environment-Friendly Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Institute of Materials Physical Chemistry, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, Fujian, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jihuai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiangli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yaoming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Gentian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: Miaoliang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Yunfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Leqing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Tsugio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato