Light conversion material: LiBaPO4:Eu2+, Pr3+, suitable for solar cell

Abstract

A light conversion material LiBaPO₄:Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ is successfully developed as a solar spectral converter for Si solar cells. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra from 3 K to room temperature, the lifetime and energy transfer mechanism are all systematically investigated. The results show that Eu²⁺ ions absorb and transfer the energy of UV-Vis photons to Pr³⁺ ions, which exhibit an intense near-infrared (NIR) emission between 950–1060 nm, matching well with the maximum spectral response of Si solar cells. We believe that this NIR emitting phosphor may open a new route to design advanced UV-Vis-to-NIR phosphors, with promising applications for solar spectral convertors.