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Date Permissions Signed

8-6-2014

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Patrick, David L.

Second Advisor

Gilbertson, John D.

Third Advisor

Rider, David A. (Materials scientist)

Abstract

Optical concentration has the potential to lower the cost of solar energy conversion by reducing photovoltaic cell area and increasing photovoltaic efficiency. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) offer an attractive approach to combined spectral and spatial concentration of both specular and diffuse light without expensive solar tracking, but they have been plagued by luminophore self-absorption losses which limit them from achieving their full potential. This thesis introduces doped semiconductor nanocrystals as a new class of phosphors for use in LSCs. In proof-of-concept experiments, visibly transparent, ultraviolet-selective luminescent solar concentrators have been prepared using colloidal Mn2+-doped II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals that show no luminescence reabsorption. For the first time LSCs are not bounded by luminophore self-absorption but by the transparency of the waveguide itself. Future directions in the use of colloidal doped nanocrystals as robust, solution processable, spectrum-shifting phosphors for luminescent solar concentration on the large scales required for practical application of this technology are discussed.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/yxq1-c460

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

889125212

Subject – LCSH

Solar concentrators--Efficiency; Quantum dots; Doped semiconductors; Luminescence; Photovoltaic power generation--Research; Photovoltaic power generation--Economic aspects

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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