The use of semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles as a solar spectral filter for concentrated GaAs photovoltaic (PV) cells was investigated. In current PV cell architecture, much of the energy from photons in the solar spectrum are not utilized. The goal of this project is to use nanoparticles that absorb photons that are not used by the PV cells. The absorbed radiation is then transferred to a heat transfer fluid for photothermal energy conversion to achieve a max theoretical PV efficiency of 28%. The optical performance of the particles was optimized by tuning the dimensions of the particles and the dopant concentrations. In order to achieve enhanced solubility in heat transfer fluids, strategies such as ligand exchange, silica encapsulation, and synthesis with different passivating ligands was used. Characterization of the nanoparticles was accomplished by FT-IR, UV-Vis, dynamic light scattering, and TEM. The synthesized particles were then tested under various conditions to determine their stability and changes to their optical properties. The particles were put into various heat transfer fluids and were tested under high temperature conditions (100°C, 200°C, and 300°C for 72 hrs). These solutions were also thermally cycled from ambient temperature to 300°C to determine their lifetime stability.

Solar spectral filtration using nanoparticles for photovoltaic cells

251st National Meeting (2016)

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