Luminescent solar concentrator efficiency enhanced via nearly lossless propagation pathways

Kyoungwon Park, Jeongmin Yi, Suk Young Yoon, Seong Min Park, Jiyong Kim, Hyun Beom Shin, Swarup Biswas, Gang Yeol Yoo, Sang Hwa Moon, Jiwan Kim, Min Suk Oh, Armin Wedel, Sohee Jeong, Hyeok Kim, Soong Ju Oh, Ho Kwan Kang, Heesun Yang, Chul Jong Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have the potential to serve as energy-harvesting windows in buildings. Although recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the emergence of novel fluorophores such as quantum dots, perovskites and others, the commercialization of such functional glass remains immature due to an insufficient power conversion efficiency. In other words, improvements in fluorophores alone cannot fully maximize the potential of LSCs. Here we introduce a new laminated type of LSC structure where a patterned low-refractive-index medium acts as an optical ‘guard rail’, providing a practically non-decaying path for guiding photons. We also propose the design rules regarding the dimensions of LSCs and the spectral characteristics of fluorophores. Once these rules were applied, we achieved record-high LSC performance. The measured external quantum efficiencies at 450 nm are 45% for a 100 cm2 area and 32% for the LSC with an edge aspect ratio of 71. The device efficiency is 7.6%, the highest value ever reported, to the best of our knowledge. These findings may have industrial implications and could accelerate the commercialization of LSCs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)177-185
Number of pages9
JournalNature Photonics
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024 Feb

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Luminescent solar concentrator efficiency enhanced via nearly lossless propagation pathways'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this