Modification of solar batteries by polymer fluorescent films

Abstract

The article describes a method for studying the effect of silicon solar cells´ modification using spectrum shifters, which are polymer films based on polymethylmethacrylate with a thickness of about 4 μm with embedded fluorescent dyes. In the process of work there were obtained spectrum shifters containing commercially available fluorescent dyes Solvent Yellow 160, Coumarin 440 and BBQ. Evaluation of the spectrum shifters´ influence on the efficiency of a solar battery was carried out by comparing the curve of the external quantum yield and the current-voltage characteristics of the latter before and after the modification. Interpretation of the obtained results was based on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the obtained spectrum shifters. According to the curves of the external quantum yield, a decrease was established in the efficiency of solar cells after the modification by spectrum switches. It is ascertained that the reason for this decrease is the emerging competition in the absorption of incident radiation between the spectrum switch and the solar battery, and the parameters under which this competition would be minimal were determined. According to the data obtained when measuring the volt-ampere characteristics of the obtained modified solar cells, an insignificant increase in the power of the generated electric current was established. A conclusion is made about the contradiction between the results of experiments on measuring the external quantum yield and currentvoltage characteristics. With a detailed examination of the features of these research methods it was possible to find the cause for these contradictions. The main conclusions were drawn about the nature of the interaction of spectrum shifters with solar batteries, and the main conditions under which this interaction was effective were determined.