Upconversion luminescence enhancement by Fe3+ doping in CeO2:Yb/Er nanomaterials and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells

To make use of broad spectrum solar energy remains a main target in the photoelectrochemical area. Novel promising photoelectrode CeO2:Fe/Yb/Er nanomaterials supported on upconversion nanomaterials doped with transition-metal ions are reported to improve broad spectrum absorption and scattering properties in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The results demonstrate that the materials have stronger upconversion luminescence than CeO2:Yb/Er samples when the Fe3+ ion doping concentration is 2 mol% and 33.5% higher photoelectric conversion efficiency than a pure P25 electrode, which are attributed to the special light scattering properties and excellent dye adsorption capacity of the CeO2:Fe/Yb/Er nanomaterials. Accordingly, doping Fe3+ transition metal ions in the upconversion material CeO2:Yb/Er provides a new research idea for improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSSCs.