Upconversion lanthanide nanomaterials: basics introduction, synthesis approaches, mechanism and application in photodetector and photovoltaic devices

Baharak Mehrdel; Ali Nikbakht; Azlan Abdul Aziz; Mahmood S Jameel; Mohammed Ali Dheyab; Pegah Moradi Khaniabadi

doi:10.1088/1361-6528/ac37e3

Upconversion lanthanide nanomaterials: basics introduction, synthesis approaches, mechanism and application in photodetector and photovoltaic devices

Nanotechnology. 2021 Nov 29;33(8). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac37e3.

Authors

Baharak Mehrdel¹, Ali Nikbakht¹, Azlan Abdul Aziz^{2

3}, Mahmood S Jameel², Mohammed Ali Dheyab², Pegah Moradi Khaniabadi⁴

Affiliations

¹ New Technologies Research Centre, Amirkabir University of Technology, (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, 158754413, Iran.
² Nano-Optoelectronics Research and Technology Lab (NORLab), School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
³ Nano-Biotechnology Research and Innovation (NanoBRI), Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
⁴ Department of Radiology and Molecular Imaging, College of Medicine and Health Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 35, 123, Al Khod, Muscat, Oman.

PMID: 34753124
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac37e3

Abstract

Upconversion (UC) of lanthanide-doped nanostructure has the unique ability to convert low energy infrared (IR) light to high energy photons, which has significant potential for energy conversion applications. This review concisely discusses the basic concepts and fundamental theories of lanthanide nanostructures, synthesis techniques, and enhancement methods of upconversion for photovoltaic and for near-infrared (NIR) photodetector (PD) application. In addition, a few examples of lanthanide-doped nanostructures with improved performance were discussed, with particular emphasis on upconversion emission enhancement using coupling plasmon. The use of UC materials has been shown to significantly improve the NIR light-harvesting properties of photovoltaic devices and photocatalytic materials. However, the inefficiency of UC emission also prompted the need for additional modification of the optical properties of UC material. This improvement entailed the proper selection of the host matrix and optimization of the sensitizer and activator concentrations, followed by subjecting the UC material to surface-passivation, plasmonic enhancement, or doping. As expected, improving the optical properties of UC materials can lead to enhanced efficiency of PDs and photovoltaic devices.

Keywords: lanthanide; photodetector; photovoltaic devices; plasmonic enhancement; upconversion nanomaterials.

Publication types

Review