Monte Carlo Simulation of Quantum-Cutting Nanocrystals as the Luminophore in Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Abstract

Quantum-cutting luminescent solar concentrators (QC-LSCs) have great potential to serve as large-area solar windows. These QC nanocrystals can realize a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of as high as 200% with virtually zero self-absorption loss. Based on our previous work, we have constructed a Monte Carlo simulation model that is suitable to simulate the performance of the QC-LSCs, which can take into account the band-edge emissions and near-infrared emissions of the QC-materials. Under ideal PLQY conditions, CsPbClxBr3−x:Yb3+-based LSCs can reach 12% of the size-independent external quantum efficiency (ηext). Even if LSCs have a certain scattering factor, the CsPbClxBr3−x:Yb3+-based LSCs can still obtain an ηext exceeding 6% in the window size (>1 m2). The flux gain (FG) of the CsPbClxBr3−x:Yb3+-based LSC-PV system can reach 14 in the window size, which is a very encouraging result.

Keywords

• nanocrystals
• luminescent solar concentrators
• quantum cutting
• Monte Carlo simulation
• quantum efficiency