Luminescent solar concentrators based on PMMA fibers and capillary columns

• Grant number: 18/16530-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Sidney José Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Isabella Ferreira Occhipinti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this project is the manufacture of capillary columns and optical fibers based on poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and their use as luminescent solar concentrators (CSL). The fibers and columns will be covered/filled with organic-inorganic hybrids (HOI) containing lanthanide ion complexes and mounted in the form of bundles. These devices will be able to convert UV light into visible light by directing light towards a photovoltaic cell. Conventional CSLs are usually produced using glass or rigid plastic with little flexibility, which makes their applicability difficult. In the conceived form, with a large area of light absorption and converted light directed to a small one, these CSLs must present unprecedented concentration factors, at least an order of magnitude greater than those known in the literature, which can lead to an absolute increase of 7 % conversion efficiency of Silicon cells. The approach proposed here therefore has potential to be a breakthrough in the development of high performance guided photovoltaic conversion.