A Novel Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ Codoped Phosphate Glass as Down-Shifting Materials for Enhancing Efficiency of Solar Cells

For the purpose of improving conversion efficiency of solar cells by applying the effect of the wavelength conversion of rare earth ions, photo-luminescence and excitation spectrums of Ce³⁺−Tb³⁺ doped phosphate glass are investigated. Results show that incorporating Ce³⁺ ions to Tb³⁺−doped phosphate glass can greatly increase the absorption coefficient in the range 300-400 nm and then the energy transfer (ET) from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ occurs. In addition, increasing Tb³⁺ concentration in Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ co−doped phosphate glass can greatly enhance the ET efficiency and 545 nm emission intensity. This shows that Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glass would be a promising down-shifting material for enhancing the efficiency of solar cells.