Fabricating scattering-fluorescent luminescent solar concentrator synchronously to achieve broad-spectrum solar energy utilization and light pollution inhibition

Abstract

Light pollution caused by the reflected light of buildings poses a growing threat to the global environment and human health. Currently, common luminescent solar concentrator (LSC), as an important transparent photovoltaic component for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), is unable to reduce light pollution due to the limited utilization of solar energy only in ultraviolet range. In this study, scattering-fluorescent LSC (S-F LSC) is fabricatied by using a particular two-step strategy with electrostatic assembly of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) composite and its embedment into PMMA through in-situ radical bulk polymerization. S-F LSC exhibits the dual characteristics of visible light scattering and fluorescent luminescence and meanwhile keeps 77.87% transmittance. After combined with silicon solar cell, the formed PV-LSC device shows the capability to utilize natural light in both visible and UV spectral bands. With 1.6wt% MFC/CQDs composites in S-F LSC, the external optical efficiency and power conversion efficiency are up to 18.07% and 8.61% under a standard sunlight condition (100 mW/cm2). Only 9.99% reflection of visible light of S-F LSC is produced. The synergistic function of broad-spectrum solar energy utilization and light pollution inhibition provides S-F LSC the potential to become a key transparent energy-saving components in BIPV for livable outdoor and indoor lifestyle.