Luminescent downshifting properties of Zn-based semiconductor-nanoparticle-dispersed 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane sol–gel glass for luminescent solar concentrator photovoltaics

Abstract We investigate the possibility of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane based sol–gel glass with Zn-based semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed as luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). A 10 mm thick sol–gel glass reveals a high (≈90%) transmittance in the visible wavelength range. The sol–gel-glass based LSC emits a ≈600 nm photoluminescence, which is due to the luminescent downshifting effects of dispersed NPs, with a quantum yield of 53.8%. The photoluminescence is stable against a ≈367 nm UV light exposure with a dose up to 144 MJ m −2 . We attach a Si cell on a side of LSC transparent in the natural light to form a prototype of LSC-photovoltaics. Its external quantum efficiency (EQE) is apparent in the UV wavelength range. The measured EQE agrees with calculations based on an analytical model for the propagation of downshifted photons in the LSC. Importance of improving the stability of transmittance of sol–gel glass against UV exposure is pointed out.