Sonochemical Synthesis and Characterization of La₂ZR₂O₇:EU³⁺ Luminescent Materials for Enhanced Photoanodes in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Neto, Joao Dionizio de Melo, Silva, Felipe Rodrigues, Prazeres, Handerson José, Cavalcante, Rodrigo Franco, Silva, William Neves, Mota, João Pedro Santana, Júnior, Antônio Cleibo dos Santos, Nunes, Vanja Fontenele, Junior, Paulo Herbert Franca Maia, Lima, Francisco Marcone, Almeida, Ana Fabíola Leite, Sales, Juscelino Chaves, Freire, Francisco Nivaldo Aguiar

ISES Solar World Congress 2025 · Fortaleza, Brazil · 2025-11-03
Published by International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Abstract

The growing use of fossil fuels has led to rising global temperatures and increased interest in renewable energy, particularly solar energy. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a low-cost alternative, with their performance strongly influenced by the photoanode. This study focuses on synthesizing europium-doped lanthanum zirconate (La₂Zr₂O₇:Eu³⁺) via solid-state reaction and incorporating it into SnO₂-based photoanodes. The material’s downconversion luminescence enhanced light absorption, resulting in improved DSSC performance as confirmed by J–V measurements. These results highlight the potential of luminescent additives in advancing solar cell efficiency.

Keywords

DSSC, photoanode, luminescence, La₂Zr₂O₇:Eu³⁺, SnO₂, downconversion.

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