[Eu(³DPIQC)₃] (where DPIQC = 3-(diphenyl phosphoryl)-1-isoquinolinecarboxylate), a luminescent europium complex with antenna ligands, has been carefully embedded within a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix and the resulting material was used to prepare films used as luminescent down-shifting layers (LDSLs) for crystalline Si-based solar cells. The films were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, atomic force spectroscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The AFM analysis shows films with low surface roughness, while fluorescence microscopy revealed that the Eu complex embedded in PVB assumed a spheroidal configuration, a morphology especially beneficial for optical applications. The so-obtained LDSLs were utilized as energy converters in c-Si solar cells to enhance the utilization of high-energy photons, thereby improving their overall efficiency. The determination of photovoltaic parameters carried out before and after the deposition of the LDSLs on the c-Si cells confirms a positive effect on the efficiency of the cell. The J_sc increases from 121.6 mA/cm² to 124.9 mA/cm², and the open circuit voltage (V_oc) is found to be unrelated to the complex concentration in the films. The fill factor (FF) remains constant with the Eu concentration. The EQE curves indicate an enhancement in the performance of the photovoltaic cells within the UV region of the spectrum for all coated devices. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also carried out in order to analyze the effect of the Eu complex in the charge transfer process of the devices.

Through an initial documentary analysis of the flipped classroom in the context of a pandemic and of the new pedagogical models based on active methodologies or pedagogies and cooperative learning, the experience presented below is part of an innovation project based on the design of cooperative activities focused on students to enhance their meaningful learning and with the aim of improving their satisfaction and motivation and thus, as a consequence, their academic performance. For the evaluation of this experience, in which 29 students from the theoretical-experimental subject of General Chemistry participated from the Technological Bases Engineering training plan of the Universidad Católica del Norte, three data collection instruments were administered based on the use of the questionnaire and the interview with the students during and at the end of the experience. The main results show high acceptance and satisfaction with the design of the innovation; an improvement in the development of teamwork competence; and a significant impact of the active methodologies and cooperative learning strategies implemented in increasing the academic performance of students.

This paper discusses the structure, particle morphology, and optical properties of un-doped ZnO and ZnO doped with Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ lanthanide ion nanoparticles (NPs) through a process denominated sol-gel-hydrothermal. According to the pattern of X-ray diffraction, ZnO:Er and ZnO:Yb is formed by a single-phase wurtzite structure with crystallites sized ~65 nm on average, and Er or Yb dopant ions in the hexagonal structure of ZnO, specifically in its distorted lattice sites. The results also suggest the possible role of oxygen vacancies or O^x– (defects) in the energy transfer from ZnO to the Er or Yb ions with a decrease of 3.18 eV and 3.19 eV in bandgap values to a red shift.

Solvent-free mechanochemistry enables the synthesis of CsCoCl₃, Cs₂CoCl₄, and Cs₃CoCl₅ with tunable dimensionality and optoelectronic properties dictated by the Co²⁺ coordination environment.

There is currently an energy crisis that has led to photovoltaic operators maximizing their resources, making soiling a problem to consider in order to ensure project profitability. Energy production costs are strongly affected by the use of scarcely efficient cleaning techniques that are not suitable for a particular type of contaminant, climate, and installation. This paper introduces a technology that is suitable for studying soiling, thus decreasing the number of variables studied and reliable results were obtained. Our attention is focused on deposited material physicochemistry, local geology, and installation effects. Analysis via scanning electron microscopy and pits revealed a similarity between local geological processes and module soiling, with gypsum being responsible for soil and module cementation. Analysis with Atomic Force Microscopy confirms the cementation effect and crust formation on the lower part of the photovoltaic glass, the latter concentrating in the greatest amount of cemented material. Using a solar simulator, the characteristic curves produced by the cemented material were studied, and it was determined that the lower part of the glass produced the greatest losses (27%). Thus, a non-uniformity deposition was generated, creating resistance between the cells. From the data obtained, it was possible to make recommendations regarding making decisions about plant cleaning, instead of only considering the physicochemical analysis of the deposited material.

Mechanochemically synthesized Cs–Co–Br halides reveal that cobalt coordination cobalt coordination geometry directly governs band-edge positioning, metal-halide covalency, and photovoltaic response across octahedral and tetrahedral frameworks.