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14 Aug 13:32

1D‐2D Synergistic MXene‐Nanotubes Hybrids for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

by Abdulaziz S. R. Bati, Mengmeng Hao, Thomas J. Macdonald, Munkhbayar Batmunkh, Yusuke Yamauchi, Lianzhou Wang, Joseph G. Shapter
1D-2D Synergistic MXene-Nanotubes Hybrids for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Modifying the interface between SnO2 and perovskite by the insertion of a MXene/nanotubes interfacial layer resulted in a remarkable power conversion efficiency of up to 21.42%, which paves the way for employing MXene/nanotubes hybrid structures in next-generation electronic devices.


Abstract

Incorporation of 2D MXenes into the electron transporting layer (ETL) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been shown to deliver high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) devices. However, the ambient fabrication of the ETLs leads to unavoidable deterioration in the electrical properties of MXene due to oxidation. Herein, sorted metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (m-SWCNTs) are employed to prepare MXene/SWCNTs composites to improve the PV performance of PSCs. With the optimized composition, a power conversion efficiency of over 21% is achieved. The improved photoluminescence and reduced charge transfer resistance revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated low trap density and improved charge extraction and transport characteristics due to the improved conductivity originating from the presence of nanotubes as well as the reduced defects associated with oxygen vacancies on the surface of the SnO2. The MXene/SWCNTs strategy reported here provides a new avenue for realizing high-performance PSCs.

14 Aug 13:31

Interfacial Defects Change the Correlation between Photoluminescence, Ideality Factor, and Open‐Circuit Voltage in Perovskite Solar Cells

by Sohyeon Kim, Jun Hyeok Jang, Ziang Wu, Mi Jung Lee, Han Young Woo, Inchan Hwang
Interfacial Defects Change the Correlation between Photoluminescence, Ideality Factor, and Open-Circuit Voltage in Perovskite Solar Cells

Quantitative evaluation of interfacial crystals qualities in perovskite solar cells helps the understanding of charge recombination and their effects on the relationship between the ideality factor/photoluminescence and open-circuit voltage. Furthermore, this simple strategy provides the information of which defect engineering will be more effective in solar cells.


Abstract

The ideality factor (n id) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses assess charge recombination characteristics in perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). However, their correlations with open-circuit voltage (V oc) are often found to be complicated depending on the recombination types in the devices. Herein, the correlation of n id, PL characteristics and V oc is elucidated depending on the interfacial crystal quality in triple-cation mixed-halide perovskite, Cs0.05(MA0.17FA0.83)0.95Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3, deposited on different hole transport layers (HTLs). In the devices with low quality interfacial crystals, V oc increases together with n id, which originates from the light intensity-dependence of majority carrier at the interface. Meanwhile, a negative correlation between V oc and n id is observed for devices with high quality interfacial crystals. The authors discuss the cases that PL enhancement by the improvement of overall crystal quality can fail to correlate with a V oc increase if interfacial crystal quality becomes worse. The study highlights that interfacial crystal quality evaluation can help to understand charge recombination via n id and PL measurements, and more importantly provide information of which defect engineering between at the interface and in the bulk would be more effective for device optimization.

14 Aug 13:18

[ASAP] Enhanced Charge Separation in Ternary Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells by Fullerenes

by Chang-Mok Oh, Jihoon Lee, Sung Heum Park, and In-Wook Hwang

TOC Graphic

The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01496
12 Jul 14:13

The Isostructural Substitution‐Induced Growth Mechanism of Rutile TiO2 Electron Transport Layer and the Dominant Distribution for Efficient Carbon‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells

by Yuan-Bo Yang, Peng Chen, Qian Zhao, Hong-Shi Li, Guo-Ran Li, Xue-Ping Gao
The Isostructural Substitution-Induced Growth Mechanism of Rutile TiO2 Electron Transport Layer and the Dominant Distribution for Efficient Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

This work demonstrates that the Sn-Ti isostructural substitution effect results in the formation of rutile rather than anatase TiO2 on the fluorine-doped SnO2 substrate (FTO). Based on the key growth conditions of the rutile TiO2 electron transport layer, the dominant distribution of the power conversion efficiency for hole transport layer-free carbon-based planar perovskite solar cells is illustrated and discussed.


Rutile TiO2 (R-TiO2) produced by chemical bath deposition (CBD) is widely considered as the desired electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the understanding of the growth mechanism of R-TiO2 ETL and its general regular pattern affecting power conversion efficiency (PCE) is underappreciated. Herein, the growth mechanism of TiO2 on fluorine-doped SnO2 substrate (FTO) is demonstrated and it is revealed that pure R-TiO2, rather than a rutile/anatase mixed crystal, is formed under an Sn–Ti isostructural substitution effect. The similarity of lattice parameters and phase structure between FTO and R-TiO2 can reduce interface misfit and nucleation barrier, thus boosting heterogeneous nucleation and growth of R-TiO2 simultaneously. Based on the key growth conditions of the R-TiO2 ETL, the dominant distribution of PCE for hole transport layer (HTL)-free carbon-based planar perovskite solar cells is illustrated and discussed, and a champion efficiency of 14.0% is achieved.

12 Jul 14:13

Surface Defect Passivation of Pb–Sn‐Alloyed Perovskite Film by 1,3‐Propanediammonium Iodide toward High‐Performance Photovoltaic Devices

by Lei Zhang, Qiao Kang, Hongxi Shi, Jianhe Hong, Yanping Song, Dan Chi, Shihua Huang, Gang He
Surface Defect Passivation of Pb–Sn-Alloyed Perovskite Film by 1,3-Propanediammonium Iodide toward High-Performance Photovoltaic Devices

A linear organic cation 1,3-propanediammonium iodide (PDAI2) is used to passivate the surface defects of perovskite film and suppress the nonradiative recombination, which is beneficial for reducing the open-circuit voltage ( V OC ) deficit of perovskite solar cells. Consequently, the narrow-bandgap Pb–Sn-alloyed perovskite solar cell achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 20.2% with a small V OC deficit of 0.39 V.


The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of narrow-bandgap Pb–Sn-alloyed perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) is seriously impeded by the large open-circuit voltage ( V OC ) deficit. Finding an effective approach to passivate defects in the perovskite film is critical to reduce the V OC deficit. Herein, a linear organic cation 1,3-propanediammonium iodide (PDAI2) is used to passivate the surface defects of perovskite film, thus restraining the nonradiative recombination. After treating with PDAI2, the defect density of perovskite film is decreased to half and the carrier lifetime is prolonged more than 1.5 times. As a result, the champion Pb–Sn-alloyed PVSC based on PDAI2 treatment exhibits a small V OC deficit of 0.39 V, and a high PCE of 20.2%.

12 Jul 14:12

Vapor incubation of FASnI3 films for efficient and stable lead-free inverted perovskite solar cells

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9,16943-16951
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA04722A, Paper
Ligang Xu, Chi Zhang, Xiangyun Feng, Wenxuan Lv, ZuQiang Huang, Wenzhen Lv, Chao Zheng, Guichuan Xing, Wei Huang, Runfeng Chen
A novel anti-solvent vapor-assisted incubation method was developed to manipulate both the nucleation and crystal growth processes of perovskite for producing high-quality FASnI3 films.
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12 Jul 14:12

Synergistic effect of incorporating intra- and inter-molecular charge transfer in nonfullerene acceptor molecules for highly-efficient organic solar cells

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9,16834-16840
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA01679B, Paper
Yiwen Ji, Lingxia Xu, Hang Yin, Bin Cui, Longlong Zhang, Xiaotao Hao, Kun Gao
Intra- and inter-molecular charge transfer coexist in nonfullerene acceptor molecules with an A–D–A electronic structure, which work synergistically to enhance their excited state dissociation efficiency up to ∼70% in optimized molecular aggregates.
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12 Jul 14:12

Over 17.5% efficiency ternary organic solar cells with enhanced photon utilization via a medium band gap non-fullerene acceptor

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9,16418-16426
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA04454K, Paper
Congcong Cao, Hanjian Lai, Hui Chen, Yulin Zhu, Mingrui Pu, Nan Zheng, Feng He
Two medium band gap NFAs are prepared and their PL emission mostly overlaps with the absorption spectrum of Y6. The photoexcitation from acceptors increases significantly due to the energy transfer. The crystallinity and morphlogy of the blend film are also optimized significantly.
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12 Jul 14:11

Observing long-range non-fullerene backbone ordering in real-space to improve the charge transport properties of organic solar cells

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9,16733-16742
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA04623C, Paper
Zhaozhao Bi, Kai Chen, Lu Gou, Yuan Guo, Xiaobo Zhou, Hafiz Bilal Naveed, Jing Wang, Qinglian Zhu, Jian Yuan, Chao Zhao, Ke Zhou, Sreelakshmi Chandrabose, Zheng Tang, Yuanping Yi, Justin M. Hodgkiss, Lei Zhang, Wei Ma
The long-range backbone ordering in Y6 solid film is reported, which benefits charge generation and carrier lifetime in PM6:Y6 heterojunctions and drives the photovoltaic efficiency towards 16.8%.
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12 Jul 14:10

Stable and low-photovoltage-loss perovskite solar cells by multifunctional passivation

by Guang Yang

Nature Photonics, Published online: 05 July 2021; doi:10.1038/s41566-021-00829-4

The use of a dimensionally graded 2D perovskite interface and passivation results in perovskite solar cells with very low photovoltage loss.
12 Jul 14:05

Dopant‐Free Hole Transport Materials Afford Efficient and Stable Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

by Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Cheng Liu, Cansu Igci, Yi Yang, Olga A. Syzgantseva, Maria A. Syzgantseva, Kasparas Rakstys, Hiroyuki Kanda, Naoyuki Shibayama, Bin Ding, Xianfu Zhang, Vygintas Jankauskas, Yong Ding, Songyuan Dai, Paul Dyson
Dopant-Free Hole Transport Materials Afford Efficient and Stable Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

A dopant-free D-π-A type HTM named CI-TTIN-2F has been developed which shows excellent charge collection properties and multisite defect-healing effects. All-inorganic CsPbI3 PSCs with CI-TTIN-2F HTM feature high efficiencies up to 15.9 %, along with 86 % efficiency retention after 1000 h under ambient conditions. All-inorganic perovskite solar modules were also fabricated that exhibit an efficiency of 11.0 % with a record area of 27 cm2.


Abstract

The emerging CsPbI3 perovskites are highly efficient and thermally stable materials for wide-band gap perovskite solar cells (PSCs), but the doped hole transport materials (HTMs) accelerate the undesirable phase transition of CsPbI3 in ambient. Herein, a dopant-free D-π-A type HTM named CI-TTIN-2F has been developed which overcomes this problem. The suitable optoelectronic properties and energy-level alignment endow CI-TTIN-2F with excellent charge collection properties. Moreover, CI-TTIN-2F provides multisite defect-healing effects on the defective sites of CsPbI3 surface. Inorganic CsPbI3 PSCs with CI-TTIN-2F HTM feature high efficiencies up to 15.9 %, along with 86 % efficiency retention after 1000 h under ambient conditions. Inorganic perovskite solar modules were also fabricated that exhibiting an efficiency of 11.0 % with a record area of 27 cm2. This work confirms that using efficient dopant-free HTMs is an attractive strategy to stabilize inorganic PSCs for their future scale-up.

12 Jul 14:04

Synergistical Dipole–Dipole Interaction Induced Self‐Assembly of Phenoxazine‐Based Hole‐Transporting Materials for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

by Alex K.-Y. Jen, Ning Cai, Fengzhu Li, Yatong Chen, Ruixi Luo, Tonghui Hu, Francis Lin, Shek-Man Yiu, Danjun Liu, Dangyuan Lei, Zonglong Zhu
Synergistical Dipole–Dipole Interaction Induced Self-Assembly of Phenoxazine-Based Hole-Transporting Materials for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Dipole–dipole interaction induced self-assembly of phenoxazine-based hole-transporting material, N01, is achieved by introducing a hexyl bromide side-chain to tune its self-assembling properties. N01 exhibits a higher intrinsic hole mobility and more favorable interfacial properties for hole transport, extraction and perovskite growth, with a conversion efficiency of 21.85 % to be realized in an inverted PSC.


Abstract

Delicately designed dopant-free hole-transporting materials (HTMs) with ordered structure have become one of the major strategies to achieve high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, we report two donor-π linker-donor (D-π-D) HTMs, N01 and N02, which consist of facilely synthesized 4,8-di(n-hexyloxy)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene as a π linker, with 10-bromohexyl-10H-phenoxazine and 10-hexyl-10H-phenoxazine as donors, respectively. The N01 molecules form a two-dimensional conjugated network governed by C−H⋅⋅⋅O and C−H⋅⋅⋅Br interaction between phenoxazine donors, and synchronously construct a three-dimension lamellar structure with the aid of interlaminar π–π interaction. Consequently, N01 as a dopant-free small-molecule HTM exhibits a higher intrinsic hole mobility and more favorable interfacial properties for hole transport, hole extraction and perovskite growth, enabling an inverted PSC to achieve a very impressive power conversion efficiency of 21.85 %.

12 Jul 13:53

Multifunctional Conjugated Ligand Engineering for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

by Ke Ma, Harindi R. Atapattu, Qiuchen Zhao, Yao Gao, Blake P. Finkenauer, Kang Wang, Ke Chen, So Min Park, Aidan H. Coffey, Chenhui Zhu, Libai Huang, Kenneth R. Graham, Jianguo Mei, Letian Dou
Multifunctional Conjugated Ligand Engineering for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

One of the challenges in perovskite solar cells is passivating the perovskite surface without hindering charge extraction. In this work, a conjugated ligand is introduced to the interface between perovskite and hole-transporting layer, showing efficient hole extraction with improved energy level alignment and suppressed phase segregation. Therefore, devices with high efficiency and stability are achieved.


Abstract

Surface passivation is an effective way to boost the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, a key challenge faced by most of the passivation strategies is reducing the interface charge recombination without imposing energy barriers to charge extraction. Here, a novel multifunctional semiconducting organic ammonium cationic interface modifier inserted between the light-harvesting perovskite film and the hole-transporting layer is reported. It is shown that the conjugated cations can directly extract holes from perovskite efficiently, and simultaneously reduce interface non-radiative recombination. Together with improved energy level alignment and the stabilized interface in the device, a triple-cation mixed-halide medium-bandgap PSC with an excellent power conversion efficiency of 22.06% (improved from 19.94%) and suppressed ion migration and halide phase segregation, which lead to a long-term operational stability, is demonstrated. This strategy provides a new practical method of interface engineering in PSCs toward improved efficiency and stability.

12 Jul 13:36

Effect of Solvent on the Interfacial Crystallinity in Sequentially Processed Organic Solar Cells

by Jongkuk Ko, Jaehoon Kim, Hyung‐Jun Song, Yeseul Park, Jeonghun Kwak, Changhee Lee, Kookheon Char
Effect of Solvent on the Interfacial Crystallinity in Sequentially Processed Organic Solar Cells

The interfacial crystallinity at the donor/acceptor interfaces is effectively controlled by varying the boiling points of the solvents in sequential processes. The crystallinity of the donor/acceptor interfaces and PC70BM over-layers significantly affects the device performance and stability of the organic solar cell devices.


Abstract

It is important to specify and control factors that significantly affect the performance and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). Bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) prepared by spin-coating donor/acceptor mixtures form vertically and laterally complex nanostructures, making them difficult to specify and control. Herein, various solvent-dissolved PTB7-th/PC70BM-based sequentially processed OSCs are demonstrated and their thin-film properties in terms of interfacial crystallinity are compared. The crystallinity of the donor/acceptor interfaces and PC70BM over-layers is effectively controlled by varying the boiling points of the PTB7-th solvents in sequential processes. It is found that the structures of the PTB7-th layers formed by solvents with lower boiling points, as well as the PC70BM over-layers, have a higher degree of crystallinity, consequently improving the performance to a degree resembling that of BHJ cells. In addition, sequentially processed samples show much higher thermal stability than BHJ cells, which constitute a nano-blend of donor and acceptor materials. When compared with BHJ cells, whose power conversion efficiency deteriorates within the initial 5 h of thermal treatment, all sequentially processed devices deposited by solvents with different boiling points show significant thermal stability. This work provides comprehensive insight into the interfacial crystallinity of sequentially processed OSCs in terms of efficiency and stability.

05 Jul 08:08

Cation-size mismatch and interface stabilization for efficient NiOx-based inverted perovskite solar cells with 21.9% efficiency

Publication date: October 2021

Source: Nano Energy, Volume 88

Author(s): Yousheng Wang, Hui Ju, Tahmineh Mahmoudi, Chong Liu, Cuiling Zhang, Shaohang Wu, Yuzhao Yang, Zhen Wang, Jinlong Hu, Ye Cao, Fei Guo, Yoon-Bong Hahn, Yaohua Mai

05 Jul 08:07

Methylamine Gas Treatment Affords Improving Semitransparency, Efficiency, and Stability of CH3NH3PbBr3‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells

by Ajay Singh, Fabio Matteocci, Hongwei Zhu, Daniele Rossi, Salim Mejaouri, Stefania Cacovich, Matthias Auf Der Maur, Frédéric Sauvage, Alessio Gagliardi, Michael Grätzel, Aldo Di Carlo
Methylamine Gas Treatment Affords Improving Semitransparency, Efficiency, and Stability of CH3NH3PbBr3-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Methylamine gas treatment is an easy, fast, and universal method for defect healing in CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskites. The recrystallized film is further evaluated during the fabrication of a semitransparent PSC device reaching a power conversion efficiency of 7.8%, an average visible transmittance of 52%, and a T80 greater than 300 h under maximum power point tracking and continuous light exposure.


High bandgap semitransparent solar cells based on CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskites are attractive for building integration, tandem cells, and electrochemical applications. The lack of control of the CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite growth limit the exploitation of CH3NH3PbBr3-based perovskite solar cells. Herein, a post-treatment is carried out after the initial CH3NH3PbBr3 crystallization based on methylamine gas that drastically enhances the perovskite quality leading to a highly crystalline film with improved average visible transmittance (AVT) close to 56%. Opaque devices showed outstanding results in terms of open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency (PCE) reaching 1.54 V and 9.2%, respectively. These achievements are ascribed to a film with reduced morphological defects and better interface quality and reduced nonradiative pathways. For the first time, the fabrication of semitransparent CH3NH3PbBr3-based solar cells is demonstrated reaching a maximum PCE equal to 7.6%, an AVT of the full stack device of 52%, and an excellent light stability at maximum-power point tracking.

05 Jul 07:53

Zwitterionic Ionic Liquid Confer Defect Tolerance, High Conductivity, and Hydrophobicity toward Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 22% Efficiency

by Liqun Yang, Xiaohui Ma, Xueni Shang, Deyu Gao, Chen Wang, Mengjia Li, Cong Chen, Boxue Zhang, Sai Xu, Shijian Zheng, Hongwei Song
Zwitterionic Ionic Liquid Confer Defect Tolerance, High Conductivity, and Hydrophobicity toward Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 22% Efficiency

Herein, defect inhibition in two-step solution-processed (FAPbI3)1−x (MAPbBr3) x films via a zwitterionic ionic liquid (ZIL) with 4-fluoro-phenylammonium (4FB+) as cations and tetrafluoroborate (BF4 ) as anions is demonstrated. The rationally designed ZIL with 4-fluoro-phenylammonium as doping cation and tetrafluoroborate as pseudohalogen anion could achieve effective defect suppression, enabling perovskite solar cells to exceed 22% efficiency with superior stability.


Defect passivation has been a promising route for enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, defect inhibition in two-step solution-processed (FAPbI3)1−x (MAPbBr3) x films via a rationally designed zwitterionic ionic liquid (ZIL) with 4-fluoro-phenylammonium (4FB+) as cations and tetrafluoroborate (BF4 ) as anions is demonstrated. First, 4FB+ and BF4 can effectively fill vacancy defects caused by the migrated organic A-site cation and halogen anion, confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Second, the 4FB+ with π conjugated benzene ring can donate electrons for carrier extraction, whereas its fluorination of the phenyl ammonium could enhance moisture blocking through the molecular packing of CF bond. The electrical characterization, including space charge limited current and Mott–Schottky measurement, proves the enhanced carrier extraction and photovoltaic performance. Third, the pseudohalogen anion BF4 with high ionic conductivity could significantly enhance the carrier lifetime and reduce the V OC loss. As a result, the ZIL-modified PSCs can achieve a high PCE of 22.5% with excellent long-term stability maintaining more than 80% of the initial efficiency after storing in an ambient condition for 2000 h. Herein, a new paradigm toward accelerating the development of efficient and stable PSCs is opened up.

05 Jul 07:51

An efficiency of 14.29% and 13.08% for 1 cm2 and 4 cm2 flexible organic solar cells enabled by sol–gel ZnO and ZnO nanoparticle bilayer electron transporting layers

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9,16889-16897
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA03308E, Paper
Wei Pan, Yunfei Han, Zhenguo Wang, Chao Gong, Jingbo Guo, Jian Lin, Qun Luo, Shangfeng Yang, Chang-Qi Ma
Flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) will be a promising energy harvest approach for portable and wearable electronics.
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05 Jul 07:50

[ASAP] Trojans That Flip the Black Phase: Impurity-Driven Stabilization and Spontaneous Strain Suppression in γ-CsPbI3 Perovskite

by Julian A. Steele, Vittal Prakasam, Haowei Huang, Eduardo Solano, Dmitry Chernyshov, Johan Hofkens, and Maarten B. J. Roeffaers

TOC Graphic

Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05046
05 Jul 07:48

Ionic Liquid Stabilizing High‐Efficiency Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

by Guixiang Li, Zhenhuang Su, Meng Li, Feng Yang, Mahmoud H. Aldamasy, Jorge Pascual, Fengjiu Yang, Hairui Liu, Weiwei Zuo, Diego Di Girolamo, Zafar Iqbal, Giuseppe Nasti, André Dallmann, Xingyu Gao, Zhaokui Wang, Michael Saliba, Antonio Abate
Ionic Liquid Stabilizing High-Efficiency Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

The synergistic strategy of tuning the solution coordination and crystallization process by introducing ionic liquid is implemented to successfully fabricate pinhole-free tin perovskite films with preferential crystal orientation, which possess improved oxidation repellency for Sn(II) and enhanced hydrophobicity. As a result, the stabilization of high-efficiency lead-free tin halide perovskite solar cells is achieved.


Abstract

Tin halide perovskites attract incremental attention to deliver lead-free perovskite solar cells. Nevertheless, disordered crystal growth and low defect formation energy, related to Sn(II) oxidation to Sn(IV), limit the efficiency and stability of solar cells. Engineering the processing from perovskite precursor solution preparation to film crystallization is crucial to tackle these issues and enable the full photovoltaic potential of tin halide perovskites. Herein, the ionic liquid n-butylammonium acetate (BAAc) is used to tune the tin coordination with specific O…Sn chelating bonds and NH…X hydrogen bonds. The coordination between BAAc and tin enables modulation of the crystallization of the perovskite in a thin film. The resulting BAAc-containing perovskite films are more compact and have a preferential crystal orientation. Moreover, a lower amount of Sn(IV) and related chemical defects are found for the BAAc-containing perovskites. Tin halide perovskite solar cells processed with BAAc show a power conversion efficiency of over 10%. This value is retained after storing the devices for over 1000 h in nitrogen. This work paves the way toward a more controlled tin-based perovskite crystallization for stable and efficient lead-free perovskite photovoltaics.

05 Jul 07:46

Tailoring the Interface in FAPbI3 Planar Perovskite Solar Cells by Imidazole‐Graphene‐Quantum‐Dots

by Zhi‐Wen Gao, Yong Wang, Hui Liu, Jiayun Sun, Jinwook Kim, Yan Li, Baomin Xu, Wallace C. H. Choy
Tailoring the Interface in FAPbI3 Planar Perovskite Solar Cells by Imidazole-Graphene-Quantum-Dots

The MA-free organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (FAPbI3) have drawn intense attention. The imidazole bromide functionalized graphene quantum dots is introduced to regulate the interface between SnO2 layer and FAPbI3 perovskite layer. The resulting reduced interface defects, better energy level alignment, and better perovskite film achieve a high efficiency of 22.37% with enhanced long-term stability.


Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have reached an unprecedented high efficiency in photovoltaic applications, which makes the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) possible. In the past several years, particular attention has been paid to the stability of PSC devices, which is a critical issue for becoming a practical photovoltaic technology. In particular, the interface-induced degradation of perovskites should be the dominant factor causing poor stability. Here, imidazole bromide functionalized graphene quantum dots (I-GQDs) are demonstrated to regulate the interface between the electron transport layer (ETL) and formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite layer. The incorporation of I-GQDs not only reduces the interface defects for achieving a better energy level alignment between ETL and perovskite, but also improves the film quality of FAPbI3 perovskite including enlarged grain size, lower trap density, and a longer carrier lifetime. Consequently, the planar FAPbI3 PSCs with I-GQDs regulation achieve a high efficiency of 22.37% with enhanced long-term stability.

05 Jul 07:46

High‐Efficiency Organic Solar Cells Based on a Low‐Cost Fully Non‐Fused Electron Acceptor

by Yuanyuan Zhou, Miao Li, Hao Lu, Hui Jin, Xiaodong Wang, Yan Zhang, Shuaishuai Shen, Zaifei Ma, Jinsheng Song, Zhishan Bo
High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells Based on a Low-Cost Fully Non-Fused Electron Acceptor

Four tetrathiophene-based fully non-fused acceptors are obtained via simple syntheses. The side chain selection is crucially important to the corresponding solubility, absorption, packing mode etc. The four 2-ethylhexyl functionalized 4T-3 achieves a champion power conversion efficiency of 12.04% with an excellent figure-of-merit of 32.8, which is the highest value among the reported acceptors. Such cost-effective strategy paves new way for future commercial applications.


Abstract

A series of tetrathiophene-based fully non-fused ring acceptors (4T-1, 4T-2, 4T-3, and 4T-4), which can be paired with the star donor polymer PBDB-T to fabricate highly efficient organic solar cells are developed. Tailoring the size of lateral chains can tune the solubility and packing mode of acceptor molecules in neat and blend films. It is found that the incorporation of 2-ethylhexyl chains can effectively change the compatibility with the donor polymer PBDB-T, and an encouraging power conversion efficiency of 10.15% is accomplished by 4T-3-based organic solar cells. It also presents good compatibility with the other polymer donor and an even higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.04% is achieved based on D18:4T-3 blend, which is the champion PCE for the fully non-fused acceptors. Importantly, these inexpensive tetrathiophene fully non-fused ring acceptors provide cost-effective photovoltaic performance. The results demonstrate a high photovoltaic performance from synthetically inexpensive materials could be achieved by the rational design of non-fused ring acceptor molecules.

05 Jul 07:45

Hybrid Perovskite Quantum Dot/Non‐Fullerene Molecule Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 15%

by Jiabei Yuan, Xuliang Zhang, Jianguo Sun, Robert Patterson, Huifeng Yao, Di Xue, Yao Wang, Kang Ji, Long Hu, Shujuan Huang, Dewei Chu, Tom Wu, Jianhui Hou, Jianyu Yuan
Hybrid Perovskite Quantum Dot/Non-Fullerene Molecule Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 15%

An efficient hybrid quantum dot (QD)/organic film is demonstrated, which involves emerging CsPbI3 perovskite QDs and Y6 series non-fullerene molecules. Consequently, the CsPbI3 QD/Y6 hybrid solar cells (HSCs) deliver a champion power conversion efficiency of 15.05%, which is one of the highest reports among QD/organic HSCs.


Abstract

Organic-inorganic hybrid film using conjugated materials and quantum dots (QDs) are of great interest for solution-processed optoelectronic devices, including photovoltaics (PVs). However, it is still challenging to fabricate conductive hybrid films to maximize their PV performance. Herein, for the first time, superior PV performance of hybrid solar cells consisting of CsPbI3 perovskite QDs and Y6 series non-fullerene molecules is demonstrated and further highlights their importance on hybrid device design. In specific, a hybrid active layer is developed using CsPbI3 QDs and non-fullerene molecules, enabling a type-II energy alignment for efficient charge transfer and extraction. Additionally, the non-fullerene molecules can well passivate the QDs, reducing surface defects and energetic disorder. The champion CsPbI3 QD/Y6-F hybrid device has a record-high efficiency of 15.05% for QD/organic hybrid PV devices, paving a new way to construct solution-processable hybrid film for efficient optoelectronic devices.

05 Jul 07:45

Non‐Fullerene Molecules: Hybrid Perovskite Quantum Dot/Non‐Fullerene Molecule Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 15% (Adv. Funct. Mater. 27/2021)

by Jiabei Yuan, Xuliang Zhang, Jianguo Sun, Robert Patterson, Huifeng Yao, Di Xue, Yao Wang, Kang Ji, Long Hu, Shujuan Huang, Dewei Chu, Tom Wu, Jianhui Hou, Jianyu Yuan
Non-Fullerene Molecules: Hybrid Perovskite Quantum Dot/Non-Fullerene Molecule Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 15% (Adv. Funct. Mater. 27/2021)

In article number 2101272, Jianyu Yuan and co-workers report an efficient quantum dots (QDs)/organic hybrid system using emerging CsPbI3 QDs and narrow bandgap Y6 series non-fullerene acceptors. The improved QD surface condition enables enhanced charge transfer and reduced surface defects. A champion CsPbI3 QD/Y6 hybrid solar cell delivers an efficiency of 15.05%, providing a new route for hybrid device design.


01 Jul 14:00

Efficient Defect Passivation and Charge Extraction with Hexamethylenetetramine Interface Modification for Hole‐Transporting Layers‐Free CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells

by Mingran Sun, Jingwei Zhu, Benlin He, Fan Bu, Junjie Ti, Xinpeng Yao, Haiyan Chen, Yanyan Duan, Qunwei Tang
Efficient Defect Passivation and Charge Extraction with Hexamethylenetetramine Interface Modification for Hole-Transporting Layers-Free CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells

The carbon-based hole-transporting layer (HTL)-free CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) achieve a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.08% with a high V OC of 1.605 V and an excellent stability through passivating defects and enhancing charge extraction by interface modification with hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA).


The passivation of defects at perovskite films, surfaces and the promotion of charge extraction across perovskite/carbon back interface are of vital importance to develop the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of carbon-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) free of hole-transporting layers (HTLs). Herein, an electron donor material with polyamino groups, hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), is used as an efficient surface modifier for tribrominated all-inorganic perovskite films. The modification with HMTA not only eliminates the defects by forming a bond between N atoms and positively charged ions but also optimizes the energy level structure of the perovskite film and back interface contact. Therefore, CsPbBr3 films with decreased trap states, extended carrier lifetimes, and enhanced hole mobility are gained, which significantly restrains charge recombination and energy loss as well as facilitates charge extraction and transfer at the perovskite/carbon interface. Finally, an improvement of PCE from 6.75% to 10.08% is obtained for carbon-based HTL-free CsPbBr3 PSCs without and with HMTA modification, respectively. Furthermore, the HMTA-modified device without encapsulation presents an enhanced long-term moisture and heat stability after being stored in the atmospheric environment with 80% relative humidity (RH) at 25 °C and 20% RH at 85 °C, respectively, due to the reduced defects and the improved hydrophobicity of perovskite film.

01 Jul 14:00

Synergistic Effect of Codoped Nickel Oxide Hole–Transporting Layers for Highly Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

by Ahra Yi, Sangmin Chae, Hanbin Lee, Sung Hun Lee, Do-Hyung Kim, Hyo Jung Kim
Synergistic Effect of Codoped Nickel Oxide Hole–Transporting Layers for Highly Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

The synergistic effect of Li:Cu codoping in various NiO x hole transporting layers and perovskite photovoltaics were systematically investigated. Codoped NiO x films exhibit enhanced optical and electrical properties. Codoped NiO x layers induce high-quality perovskite films, minimizing recombination losses in solar cells. In consequence, the Li:Cu(8:2)-based device exhibited a superior power conversion efficiency of 19.46% in comparison with the pristine device.


Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which feature an attractive structure for diverse applications such as tandem SCs or flexible devices, continue to be rapidly developed. Among various hole-transporting layer (HTL) materials, nickel oxide (NiO x ) is widely used as a stable and superior HTL even though it exhibits poor conductivity. Although various methods have been proposed to overcome the low conductivity of NiO x films, codoping methods have not been extensively studied and remain poorly understood. Herein, Li:Cu:NiO x is systematically investigated to explore the synergistic effect of codoping in various NiO x HTLs and PSCs. The optical, chemical, and morphological properties of the films are characterized and the dependence of these properties on the codoping ratio are investigated. A gradual improvement of the electrical properties and a tunable Fermi energy level resulting from the Li:Cu codopants is subsequently demonstrated. Furthermore, the structure of the perovskite films on HTLs and the synergistic effect on the preferred crystal growth behavior are elucidated. An inverted PSC with high efficiency was attained as a result of the enhanced electrical properties of the NiO x HTLs and the high quality of the perovskite film, which were attributed to the synergistic effect of the Li:Cu codoping method.

01 Jul 14:00

High‐Performance Upscaled Indium Tin Oxide–Free Organic Solar Cells with Visual Esthetics and Flexibility

by Feng Zhao, Lijian Zuo, Yaokai Li, Lingling Zhan, Shuixing Li, Xin Li, Ruoxi Xia, Hin-Lap Yip, Hongzheng Chen
High-Performance Upscaled Indium Tin Oxide–Free Organic Solar Cells with Visual Esthetics and Flexibility

High-performance 1.05 cm2 flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) with top-illumination device structure and ultrathin Ag as transparent electrode are demonstrated. This structure simultaneously combines the advantages of high performance, superior flexibility, diverse colors, and low-cost upscaling of production, and the corresponding OSCs deliver the maximum power conversion efficiency of 13.09%, representing one of the best among upscaled flexible OSCs.


Organic solar cells (OSCs) show great promise for future applications due to their merits of low cost, flexibility, and vivid colors, etc. However, the “conventional” device architecture with a brittle and expensive glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrode weakens these potential advantages and restricts it to small areas for high performance. Herein, a device architecture simultaneously combining the advantages of high performance, superior flexibility, diverse colors, and low-cost upscaling production is developed. The device structure features a top-illumination geometry with a thermally evaporated ultrathin Ag film as transparent electrode for ITO replacement. The formation of optical microcavity and high conductance of ultrathin Ag enables high performance for upscaled OSCs. Moreover, this device architecture further enables diverse colors via tuning the TeO2 layer atop of the ultrathin Ag transparent electrode. This top-illumination structure is more tolerant for substrates and enables wider flexible substrates. As a result, the flexible OSCs with upscaled areas of 1.05 cm2 exhibit a best performance of 13.09% (certified 11.9%) with superior flexibility, diverse colors, representing one of the best ITO-free upscaled flexible OSCs. This work provides a versatile device structure to highlight the merits of OSCs, and paves the way for the future commercialization and practical applications.

01 Jul 13:55

Ligand-bridged charge extraction and enhanced quantum efficiency enable efficient n–i–p perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14,4377-4390
DOI: 10.1039/D1EE01206A, Communication
Open Access Open Access
Creative Commons Licence&nbsp This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
Erkan Aydin, Jiang Liu, Esma Ugur, Randi Azmi, George T. Harrison, Yi Hou, Bin Chen, Shynggys Zhumagali, Michele De Bastiani, Mingcong Wang, Waseem Raja, Thomas G. Allen, Atteq ur Rehman, Anand S. Subbiah, Maxime Babics, Aslihan Babayigit, Furkan H. Isikgor, Kai Wang, Emmanuel Van Kerschaver, Leonidas Tsetseris, Edward H. Sargent, Frédéric Laquai, Stefaan De Wolf
27%-efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells are achieved in n–i–p configuration by developing novel electron and hole selective contacts, which combine high broadband transparency with efficient charge extraction.
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01 Jul 13:54

Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of All‐Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells by Organic and Ionic Mixed Passivation

by Jian He, Jie Su, Zhenhua Lin, Jing Ma, Long Zhou, Siyu Zhang, Shengzhong Liu, Jingjing Chang, Yue Hao
Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of All-Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells by Organic and Ionic Mixed Passivation

Mixed passivation utilizing organic phenylethylammonium bromide and inorganic ionic cesium bromide on the inorganic perovskite CsPbI2Br solar cells is studied. The treatment enhances the perovskite film quality, reduces film trap density, improves the energy level alignment, and suppresses the charge recombination. Finally, the device achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.70%, a open-circuit voltage (V oc) of 1.30 V and an excellent fill factor (FF) of 0.82.


Abstract

All-inorganic perovskites have been intensively investigated as potential optoelectronic materials because of their excellent thermal stability, especially for CsPbI2Br. Herein, the authors studied the effects of mixed passivation utilizing organic phenylethylammonium bromide and inorganic ionic cesium bromide (PEABr + CsBr) on the all-inorganic perovskite (CsPbI2Br) solar cells for the first time. The treatment with different passivation mechanisms enhances the perovskite film quality, resulting in uniform surface morphology and compact film with low trap density. Besides, the passivation improves the energy level alignment, which benefits the hole extraction at the perovskite/HTL interface and drives the interface electron separation, suppressing the charge recombination and realizing a high open-circuit voltage (V oc). Finally, the device represents a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.70%, a V oc of 1.30 V, and an excellent fill factor (FF) of 0.82. The V oc loss and high FF should be among the best values for CsPbI2Br based devices. Furthermore, the treated devices exhibit remarkable long-term stability with only 8% PCE loss after storing in a glove box for more than 1000 h without encapsulation.

01 Jul 02:27

[ASAP] Physical Passivation of Grain Boundaries and Defects in Perovskite Solar Cells by an Isolating Thin Polymer

by Efrain Ochoa-Martinez, Mario Ochoa, Roberto D. Ortuso, Parnian Ferdowsi, Romain Carron, Ayodhya N. Tiwari, Ullrich Steiner, and Michael Saliba

TOC Graphic

ACS Energy Letters
DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.1c01187