Upconverting nanophosphor incorporated photoanodes for improved photoelectric performances of quantum dot sensitized solar cells

We herein provide a strategy to improve the solar cell performance by merging upconverting nanophosphors (UCNPs), Mn2+, Yb3+, Er3+ tri-doped NaYF4 into TiO2 photoanodes of quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSSCs). The best performance was achieved at the UCNPs content of 8 wt% based on the systematic investigation of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) performance dependent on UCNPs amount. The short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc) (21.30 mA cm−2) and open circuit photovoltage (Voc) (0.54 V) of QDSSC were obviously improved compared with those of pure TiO2 photoanode (Jsc of 14.67 mA cm−2, Voc of 0.48 V) under one sun illumination, resulting in a 42.6% enhancement in PCE.Impact statementThe short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc) (21.30 mA cm−2) and open circuit photovoltage (Voc) (0.54 V) of QDSSC using the upconverting nanophosphors incorporated TiO2 photoelectrodes were remarkably improved under one sun illumination, resulting in a 42.6% enhancement in power conversion efficiency.