Photon-enhanced thermionic emission devices with perovskite photovoltaic anodes for conversion of concentrated sunlight

Perovskite photovoltaic (PV) structures have been applied for the first time as anodes in photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) devices to collect electrons as well as to photoelectrically convert the radiation emitted from high temperature silicon/diamond cathodes. Hybrid PETE-PV devices have been tested under concentrated sunlight, reaching the maximum cathode temperature of 650 °C. Experiments show that the PV anodes can operate without damage up to a cathode temperature of 560 °C, corresponding to an approximate surface anode temperature of 130 °C. The proposed converters in a 2-terminals configuration confirm an output voltage boost with respect to the mere PETE converters. Additionally, an effective reduction of the anode work function between 0.45 and 0.6 eV is achieved by depositing a 20 nm-thick scandium oxide coating. Even if the materials used for these proof-of-concept experiments are not optimized for the investigated operating temperature range, this study highlights the feasibility of using perovskites as photovoltaic anodes in PETE devices for the conversion of the concentrated solar radiation, thus opening the path for future development of the concept to large-area and low production cost perovskite PV-based structures in thermionic-based energy converters. • Perovskite photovoltaic anodes were used for hybrid thermionic-based devices. • Photon-enhanced thermionic emission was explored in the converter hybridization. • Both hybrid 2T- and 3T-configurations were fabricated with perovskite thin films. • A surface temperature <130 °C is estimated to prevent anode degradation. • A reduction of anode bandgap is necessary for future exploitation of the concept.