Preparation of Gd2O3:Eu3+ downconversion luminescent material and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ downconversion luminescent powder was prepared using the homogeneous precipitation method. Its optical properties were analyzed and it was introduced into a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). As a luminescence medium, Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ improved light harvesting via conversion luminescence and increased the photocurrent of the DSSC. As a p-type dopant insulating rare earth oxides form an energy barrier, and the Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ elevated the energy level of the oxide film and increased the photovoltage. The photoelectric conversion efficiency for a DSSC with Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ doping (6:100) reached 7.01%, which was 17.4% higher than the photoelectrical conversion efficiency of a DSSC without Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ doping.