Abstract
One of the main techniques in the state of the art of photovoltaic (PV) cells is their spectral loss towards the ultraviolet solar photons and the lack of absorption of infrared photons by PV cells. In this study, polymer nanocomposite luminescent down-shifting (LDS) films were prepared by doping fullerene C-60 in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and PMMA/PVAc blend. The homogeneity and weathering stability of the films were characterized using AFM, FT-IR, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence measurements. The influence of such coatings on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of commercial PV cells was studied and showed the maximum percentage increase of the order of 15.72% and 19.23% for c-Si and GaAs PV cells. This result evinces that these LDS coatings represent a potential way to improve the efficiency of commercial PV cells.