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Upconversion optical nanomaterials applied for photocatalysis and photovoltaics: Recent advances and perspectives

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Abstract

Upconversion (UC) lanthanide nanomaterials have attracted enormous attention in the last two decades thanks to their unique ability to convert low-energy infrared photons into high-energy photons. In this mini-review, we briefly discussed the recent achievements related to the direct utilization of UC optical nanomaterials for photocatalysis and photovoltaic applications. In particular, selected examples of UC-containing devices/nanocomposites with improved performance were covered. In addition, we outlined some challenges and future trends associated with the widespread usage of UC nanomaterials.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported under the funding from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP05135686).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, 010000, Kazakhstan

    Timur Sh. Atabaev & Anara Molkenova

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  1. Timur Sh. Atabaev
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  2. Anara Molkenova
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Correspondence to Timur Sh. Atabaev.

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Atabaev, T.S., Molkenova, A. Upconversion optical nanomaterials applied for photocatalysis and photovoltaics: Recent advances and perspectives. Front. Mater. Sci. 13, 335–341 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-019-0482-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-019-0482-z

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