UV–VIS–NIR luminescence properties of an intense 5d broadband sensitized Eu2SiS4:Er3+ suitable for solar spectral converter.

A novel broadband sensitized near-infrared emitting phosphor, Eu 2 SiS 4 :Er 3+ , was developed as promising solar spectral converter for Si solar cells. Eu 2 SiS 4 :Er 3+ has broadband absorptions ranging from 250 nm to 550 nm which can efficiently facilitate the UV-green part of the solar photon flux spectrum and exhibits intense NIR emission of Er 3+ , perfectly matching the maximum spectral response of Si solar cells. The NIR integrated emission intensity of Eu 2 SiS 4 :0.02Er 3+ is 6.14 times as intense as that of a dual-mode solar spectral converter CaLaGa 3 S 6 O:0.01Ce 3+ , 0.06Pr 3+ . These results demonstrate that Eu 2 SiS 4 :Er 3+ phosphor is a promising candidate used as solar spectral converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]