Dual functional YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+@SiO2 submicron-sized core–shell particles for dye-sensitized solar cells: Light scattering and downconversion

Submicron-sized YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and the YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+@SiO2 core–shell particles were fabricated by a sol–gel method. These particles were embedded in the photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. The embedded YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+@SiO2 particles not only enhanced light scattering within the photoanode, but were also able to downconvert ultraviolet light to visible light. The enhanced light scattering can greatly extend the light traveling distance within the photoanode, while the ultraviolet–visible downconversion property can effectively improve the utilization efficiency of short wavelength photons by the dye-sensitized solar cells. The embedded submicron-sized YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+@SiO2 particles increased the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell by about 64% from 3.6% to 5.9%.