Vol. 41, Issue 2, pp. 359-365

Abstract

The spectroscopic analysis of materials for luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) is presented. The samples of polymethyl mathacrylate (PMMA) polymer matrix containing nanocrystals Nd,Yb:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Nd,Yb:YAG), Nd,Yb:Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ (Nd,Yb:GGG) and Nd,Yb:Y₂O₃ (Nd,Yb:YO) were prepared. The nanocrystals were obtained via the (Pechini) modified sol–gel method. Spectroscopic investigations were performed for the nanocrystals before and after incorporating them in LSC plates. In the experiment, two diode lasers (DL) were used as excitation sources: DL operating at 808 nm to excite Nd³⁺ ions and DL operating at 976 nm for direct excitation of Yb³⁺ ions. Strong fluorescence signal from Yb³⁺ ions by 808 nm excitation proved an efficient energy transfer from Nd³⁺ to Yb³⁺ ions. The spectroscopic results indicate the successful incorporation of nanosized crystals into PMMA matrix. The best effects were obtained for Nd,Yb:YAG and Nd,Yb:GGG nanocrystals. Presented results show that polymer materials with nanocrystals doped by rare earth ions are promising solution for photovoltaic applications offering stability and emission in the spectral range matched to the maximum sensitivity of a silicon solar cell.