Spectroscopic characterisation of a quantum dot solar concentrator

Spectroscopic measurements have been undertaken for a range of different quantum dot (QD) types and transparent host materials for use in a novel solar energy-concentrating device, a Quantum Dot Solar Concentrator¹ (QDSC). A QDSC comprises QDs seeded in materials such as plastics and glasses that are suitable for incorporation into buildings where photovoltaic cells attached to the edges convert direct and diffuse solar energy into electricity for use in the building. High transparency in the matrix material and QDs with a large Stokes shift are essential for an efficient QDSC. An optimum matrix material for a QDSC has been determined based on absorption characteristics and an optimum commercially available QD type has been chosen using steady-state absorption, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of QDs in solution and solid matrices.