Improving photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell by downshift luminescence and p-doping effect of Gd2O3:Sm3+

Doped rare-earth oxide Gd2O3:Sm3+ is prepared and introduced into the TiO2 film in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Gd2O3:Sm3+, as a luminescence medium, improves light harvest via a downshift luminescence process and increases photocurrent of the DSSC; the rare-earth ion, as a p-type dopant, elevates the energy level of the oxide film and increases the photovoltage of the DSSC. Under a simulated solar light irradiation with intensity of 100 mW cm−2, a DSSC contained Gd2O3:Sm3+ (6% in doping layer) achieves a light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 6.72%, which is increased by 12.6% compared with a DSSC lacking Gd2O3:Sm3+. - Highlights: ► Doped RE oxide Gd2O3:Sm3+ is introduced into TiO2 film in dye-sensitized solar cell. ► RE ions increase light harvest via downshift luminescence and thus photocurrent. ► RE ions enhance the energy level of TiO2 film and thus photovoltage. ► Solar cell doped Gd2O3:Sm3+ achieves conversion efficiency of 6.72%, which is increased by 12.6% compared with a solar cell lacking of Gd2O3:Sm3+.