Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), those featuring quantum dots in particular, have gained much interest as a promising technology for improving the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. These devices provide optical concentration via absorption and reemission of light from fluorophores embedded in dielectric media. Here, we introduce a strategy for integrating highly luminescent aligned semiconductor nanorods into an LSC in order to improve performance through enhanced light trapping. The proposed device features aligned CdSe/CdS dot-in-rod nanoparticles embedded in an optically transparent polymer matrix. This talk will discuss how an AC electric field is used to achieve maximum alignment in a colloidal dispersion of nanorods. We monitor the optical response of samples under field alignment to gain quantitative insight into the degree of alignment. By measuring the time-dependent change in fluorescence anisotropy, we have calculated the average deviation of nanorods at maximum alignment to be 22° with respect to the field vector. Dispersing the nanorods in a UV-curable resin allows samples to be immobilized under an electric field. While dynamic alignment has been demonstrated in both solution and resin media, maintaining alignment during the curing process has been a major challenge. With further optimization, we believe that this novel approach can help surpass limiting efficiencies for LSC-photovoltaic systems.

Dipole-emitting semiconductor nanorods for luminescent solar concentrators

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.