Photon energy upconversion through thermal radiation with the power efficiency reaching 16%

Junxin Wang (), Tian Ming (), Zhao Jin, Jianfang Wang, Ling-Dong Sun () and Chun-Hua Yan ()
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Junxin Wang: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Tian Ming: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Zhao Jin: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Jianfang Wang: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ling-Dong Sun: State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, Peking University
Chun-Hua Yan: State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, Peking University

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The efficiency of many solar energy conversion technologies is limited by their poor response to low-energy solar photons. One way for overcoming this limitation is to develop materials and methods that can efficiently convert low-energy photons into high-energy ones. Here we show that thermal radiation is an attractive route for photon energy upconversion, with efficiencies higher than those of state-of-the-art energy transfer upconversion under continuous wave laser excitation. A maximal power upconversion efficiency of 16% is achieved on Yb3+-doped ZrO2. By examining various oxide samples doped with lanthanide or transition metal ions, we draw guidelines that materials with high melting points, low thermal conductivities and strong absorption to infrared light deliver high upconversion efficiencies. The feasibility of our upconversion approach is further demonstrated under concentrated sunlight excitation and continuous wave 976-nm laser excitation, where the upconverted white light is absorbed by Si solar cells to generate electricity and drive optical and electrical devices.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6669

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