Ytterbium-erbium ion doped strontium molybdate (SrMoO4): synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties and application in solar cells.

Title Ytterbium-erbium ion doped strontium molybdate (SrMoO4): synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties and application in solar cells.
Authors W. Sun; Z. Chen; J. Zhou; D. Li; Z. Huang; X. Jin; Q. Zhang; F. Li; Q. Li
Journal Phys Chem Chem Phys
DOI 10.1039/c6cp06571f
Abstract

In this work, ytterbium-erbium co-doped strontium molybdate (SrMoO4, SMO) nanophosphors (NPs), denoted as SMO:Yb/Er, have been successfully prepared. These NPs were then incorporated into TiO2 acceptor films in hybrid solar cells to enhance light harvesting by virtue of an up-conversion process where low energy photons can be converted into high energy photons through multi-photon processes. The results showed that the SMO:Yb/Er single crystal NPs are capable of turning near infrared photons into visible ones that can be easily captured by poly(thieno[3,4-b]-thiophene/benzodithiophene) (PTB7). The results indicate that the electron transfer rate at the PTB7/TiO2 donor/acceptor interface has been boosted sharply from 0.59 to 1.35 × 10(9) s(-1). Consequently, a hybrid solar cell based on SMO:Yb/Er NP-doped TiO2/PTB7 delivers a high power conversion efficiency of up to 3.61%, thus leading to an efficiency enhancement of around 28% as compared to that of the neat PTB7/TiO2 counterpart (2.81%). This work demonstrates a promising approach to engineering efficient photovoltaic devices by taking advantage of the versatility of rare-earth ion doped oxides that function by modifying light in the solar spectrum.

Citation W. Sun; Z. Chen; J. Zhou; D. Li; Z. Huang; X. Jin; Q. Zhang; F. Li; Q. Li.Ytterbium-erbium ion doped strontium molybdate (SrMoO4): synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties and application in solar cells.. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2016;18(48):3332033328. doi:10.1039/c6cp06571f

Related Elements

Ytterbium

See more Ytterbium products. Ytterbium (atomic symbol: Yb, atomic number: 70) is a Block F, Group 3, Period 6 element with an atomic weight of 173.054. Ytterbium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Ytterbium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2] and its electron configuration is [Xe]4f14 6s2. The Ytterbium atom has a radius of 176 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 242 pm. Ytterbium was discovered by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1878 and first isolated by Georges Urbain in 1907.Elemental Ytterbium In its elemental form, ytterbium has a silvery-white color. Ytterbium is found in monazite sand as well as the ores euxenite and xenotime. Ytterbium is named after Ytterby, a village in Sweden. Ytterbium can be used as a source for gamma rays, for the doping of stainless steel, or other active metals. Its electrical resistivity rises under stress, making it very useful for stress gauges that measure the deformation of the ground in the even of an earthquake.

Strontium

See more Strontium products. Strontium (atomic symbol: Sr, atomic number: 38) is a Block S, Group 2, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 87.62 . Strontium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Strontium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 8, 2] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 5s2. The strontium atom has a radius of 215 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 249 pm. Strontium was discovered by William Cruickshank in 1787 and first isolated by Humphry Davy in 1808. In its elemental form, strontium is a soft, silvery white metallic solid that quickly turns yellow when exposed to air. Elemental StrontiumCathode ray tubes in televisions are made of strontium, which are becoming increasingly displaced by other display technologies pyrotechnics and fireworks employ strontium salts to achieve a bright red color. Radioactive isotopes of strontium have been used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and for certain cancer treatments. In nature, most strontium is found in celestite (as strontium sulfate) and strontianite (as strontium carbonate). Strontium was named after the Scottish town where it was discovered.

Molybdenum

See more Molybdenum products. Molybdenum (atomic symbol: Mo, atomic number: 42) is a Block D, Group 6, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 95.96. Molybdenum Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of molybdenum's shells is [2, 8, 18, 13, 1] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d5 5s1. The molybdenum atom has a radius of 139 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 209 pm. In its elemental form, molybdenum has a gray metallic appearance. Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Wilhelm in 1778 and first isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781. Molybdenum is the 54th most abundant element in the earth's crust. Elemental MolybdenumIt has the third highest melting point of any element, exceeded only by tungsten and tantalum. Molybdenum does not occur naturally as a free metal, it is found in various oxidation states in minerals. The primary commercial source of molybdenum is molybdenite, although it is also recovered as a byproduct of copper and tungsten mining. The origin of the name Molybdenum comes from the Greek word molubdos meaning lead.

Erbium

See more Erbium products. Erbium (atomic symbol: Er, atomic number: 68) is a Block F, Group 3, Period 6 element with an atomic radius of 167.259. Erbium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Erbium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 30, 8, 2] and its electron configuration is [Xe]4f12 6s2. The erbium atom has a radius of 176 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 235 pm. Erbium was discovered by Carl Mosander in 1843. Sources of Erbium include the mineral monazite and sand ores. Erbium is a member of the lanthanide or rare earth series of elements.Elemental Erbium Picture In its elemental form, erbium is soft and malleable. It is fairly stable in air and does not oxidize as rapidly as some of the other rare earth metals. Erbium's ions fluoresce in a bright pink color, making them highly useful for imaging and optical applications. It is named after the Swedish town Ytterby where it was first discovered.

Related Forms & Applications