Nature Reviews Materials, Published online: 19 November 2019; doi:10.1038/s41578-019-0151-y
Non-radiative recombination losses hinder the performance of perovskite solar cells, preventing them from reaching the Shockley–Queisser limit. This Review systematically analyses the origin and impact of non-radiative recombination losses and highlights notable advances in their characterization and mitigation.ZHANG JIAJIA
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Minimizing non-radiative recombination losses in perovskite solar cells
In situ surface modification of TiO2 by CaTiO3 to improve the UV stability and power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells
The usage of TiO2 in perovskite solar cells is always faced with the risk of device decomposition due to its high photocatalysis activity. To deal with this problem, here in this work, a strategy of in situ surface passivation was proposed and performed on TiO2. After spin-coating Ca(OH)2 solution on a TiO2 mesoporous scaffold and annealing, the surface layer of the scaffold was converted into CaTiO3, as confirmed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The modified TiO2 scaffold was then used as an electron-transport-material in perovskite solar cells. It was observed that after moderate modification, the short-circuit current density increased from 22.32 (±0.25) to 23.19 (±0.28) mA/cm2, the open-circuit voltage rose from 1.042 (±0.009) to 1.080 (±0.011) V, and the fill factor increased from 63.89 (±1.95)% to 71.37 (±0.43)%, leading to an improvement from 14.92 (±0.36)% to 17.88 (±0.37)% of the power conversion efficiency. Transient photocurrent/photovoltage decay curves and impedance spectroscopy tests showed that moderate modification accelerated charge extraction while it retarded charge recombination. Besides, the in situ CaTiO3 layer prolonged the device stability. After being stored in the dark for 46 days (relative humidity of 30%), 92.6% of the initial efficiency was reserved, compared to that of 68.4% for the control devices. Designated UV irradiation showed that the surface passivation retarded the photocatalysis activity of TiO2, which contributed to the prolonged device stability.
Self-cleaning organic solar cells based on micro/nanostructured haze films with optical enhancement effect
We present a self-cleaning organic solar cells (OSCs) with a light-trapping structure by introducing a groove-shaped micro/nanostructured haze thin films (GHFs). The GHF with periods larger than wavelengths of incident light can broaden the effective optical paths and promote the diffused lights, while keeping high (low) total transmission (reflectance) properties. When laminated GHF on top of the light-in side of OSCs, the power conversion efficiency of OSCs is improved more than 10%. Simultaneously, the superhydrophobic GHF composed of the groove structure allows the droplets to successfully remove dust particles from the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface during the roll-off process of the drop. Under 10 cycles of dust contamination and cleaning treatment, OSCs with GHF can still guarantee an initial efficiency of 84% (76%), showing great potentials of OSCs in practical applications.
Energy level modulation of donor–acceptor alternating random conjugated copolymers for achieving high-performance polymer solar cells
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05601G, Paper
Fine energy level modulation without negatively affecting other properties is realized for random conjugated copolymers, allowing rigorous investigation of the relationship of the chemical structure and device performance in solar cells.
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The effect of phase purification on photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells
Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have witnessed a rapid rising in power conversion efficiency (PCE) over the past few years; however, they still suffer from recombination loss via interface defects in perovskite films. In this study, we implement an efficient phase purification strategy by incorporating isopropyl alcohol (IPA) post-treatment of perovskite films that reduces defect states and improves charge transport. It is found that the DMSO-PbI2-MAI complex in the perovskite film is eliminated after IPA post-treatment. A suit of opto-electric characterizations demonstrates that the nonradiative recombination is greatly diminished, and charge extraction is effectively boosted in the modified perovskite films. The perovskite solar cells with phase-pure MAPbI3 achieve an impressively larger PCE of 18.78% than that of 17.1% for the control devices. Our work presents a facile and efficient path to performance improvement of PSCs.
Optimization of TiO2 compact layer formed by atomic layer deposition for efficient perovskite solar cells
The microstructure of the compact TiO2 (c-TiO2) layer formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was investigated for optimization of organometal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The ALD c-TiO2 layer has an amorphous structure alleviating performance deterioration of the PSCs caused by defects. To apply the optimized ALD c-TiO2 layer to the PSCs, an efficiency of 18.36% was achieved. It is the top record among the PSCs using a compact TiO2 layer formed by ALD.
Mesoporous silica hybrids as an antireflective coating to enhance light harvesting and achieve over 16% efficiency of organic solar cells
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05301H, Paper
Mesoporous silica nanoparticle hybrids have been synthesized and explored to cast as an antireflective coating onto the glass substrate of non-fullerene organic solar cells (OSCs) to enhance the light absorption and efficiency (from 15.4% to 16.2%).
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High-performance and moisture-stable perovskite solar cells with a 2D modified layer via introducing a high dipole moment cation
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05227E, Paper
A (FEA)2PbI4 2D modified layer with a high dipole moment was introduced at the interface between the perovskite absorber layer and the hole transport layer. The modified perovskite solar cells showed high performance and excellent moisture stability.
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Sequential molecular doping of non-fullerene organic solar cells without hole transport layers
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC04969J, Paper
Sequential doping with F6-TCNNQ dopants enables to modify the semi-conductive properties of non-fullerene organic solar cells with negligible damage to bulk film morphology and no need to use conventional hole transporting layers.
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A paper-based device of a specially designed soft layered polymer composite for measurement of weak friction force
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05396D, Paper
A paper-based device of a specially designed soft layered composite consisting of polydiacetylene enables measurement of friction force with a gradual color change from blue to red in response to the strength and number of the applied friction force.
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Efficient and Mechanically Robust Ultraflexible Organic Solar Cells Based on Mixed Acceptors
Publication date: 15 January 2020
Source: Joule, Volume 4, Issue 1
Author(s): Wenchao Huang, Zhi Jiang, Kenjiro Fukuda, Xuechen Jiao, Christopher R. McNeill, Tomoyuki Yokota, Takao Someya
Modeling Thin Film Solar Cells: From Organic to Perovskite
Device model simulation is a macroscopic computer‐assisted tool for modeling organic and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells. It simulates the underlying physical mechanisms of the electrical characteristics, such as space‐charge‐limited current, injection‐limited current, ohmic contact, short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, J–V hysteresis phenomena, power conversion efficiency in the present of surface recombination, trap/defect dependent recombination, or direct band recombination.
Abstract
Device model simulation is one of the primary tools for modeling thin film solar cells from organic materials to organic–inorganic perovskite materials. By directly connecting the current density–voltage (J–V) curves to the underlying device physics, it is helpful in revealing the working mechanism of the heatedly discussed organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells. Some distinctive optoelectronic features need more phenomenological models and accurate simulations. Herein, the application of the device model method in the simulation of organic and organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells is reviewed. To this end, the ways of the device model are elucidated by discussing the metal–insulator–metal picture and the equations describing the physics. Next, the simulations on J–V curves of organic solar cells are given in the presence of the space charge, interface, charge injection, traps, or exciton. In the perovskite section, the effects of trap states, direct band recombination, surface recombination, and ion migration on the device performance are systematically discussed from the perspective of the device model simulation. Suggestions for designing perovskite devices with better performance are also given.
Molecular engineering of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites quantum wells
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 11 November 2019; doi:10.1038/s41557-019-0354-2
A solution-processing step has been used to prepare quantum-well structures that comprise a thin layer of perovskite sandwiched between two layers of conjugated oligothiophene derivatives. The band gap of the resulting 2D hybrid perovskites can be fine-tuned by functionalizing the organic component, which also improves the stability of the system.Uniform Permutation of Quasi-2D Perovskites by Vacuum Poling for Efficient, High-Fill-Factor Solar Cells
Publication date: 18 December 2019
Source: Joule, Volume 3, Issue 12
Author(s): Jia Zhang, Jiajun Qin, Miaosheng Wang, Yujie Bai, Han Zou, Jong Kahk Keum, Runming Tao, Hengxing Xu, Haomiao Yu, Stefan Haacke, Bin Hu
Context & Scale
2D nanoplates are normally vertically arranged from small to large n values in quasi-2D perovskite films, leading to ordered dispersion of different-n-value nanoplates to demonstrate efficient solar cells based on directional charge extraction. Here, we found a better choice that uniformly arranging different n-value nanoplates can be realized by using vacuum poling method to enable isotropic charge transfer from all small-n-value nanoplates directly to largest-n-value nanoplates. Essentially, this uniform dispersion is formed by mechanically enforcing nucleation during crystallization upon our vacuum poling method. Consequently, record-high fill factor (FF) of 82.4% with maximal power conversion efficiency of 18.04% (Voc = 1.223 V, Jsc = 17.91 mA/cm2) is achieved with excellent stabilities. This work shows that uniformly arranging different-n-value nanoplates offers a new materials processing strategy for developing high-performance quasi-2D perovskite optoelectronic devices.
Summary
The vertically ordered (small-to-large n) quasi-2D perovskite films serve as common approaches to facilitate directional charge transfer. Here, we report a different strategy of uniformly arranging different-n-value nanoplates (PEA2MAn-1PbnI3n+1) by introducing vacuum poling treatment to enforce nucleation during crystallization. This uniform distribution is verified by delicate mechanical tape-peeling method while monitoring optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). With uniform distribution, efficient carrier transfer within 10 ps is revealed by transient absorption. Moreover, record-high fill factor (FF) of 82.4% with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.04% (Voc = 1.223 V, Jsc = 17.91 mA/cm2) was demonstrated. Superior stability is achieved with retaining 96.1% of initial efficiency after 8-month storage and maintaining 97.7% at 80°C for over 180 h. This uniformly arranging different-n-value nanoplates offers a new material engineering strategy to enhance carrier transfer and extraction for developing high-efficiency and stable quasi-2D perovskite solar cells.
Graphical Abstract
Functionalizing tetraphenylpyrazine with perylene diimides (PDIs) as high-performance nonfullerene acceptors
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05643B, Paper
A high efficiency of 7.47% is obtained in non-fullerene OSCs using PPDI-Se as the acceptor and PDBT-T1 as the donor.
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Induced charge transfer bridge by non-fullerene surface treatment for high-performance perovskite solar cells
A facile strategy was developed to simultaneously improve the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It involves the dissolution of an ultranarrow bandgap material, (2,2′-((2Z,2′Z)-(((4,4,9,9-tetrakis (4-hexylphenyl)-4,9-dihydro-s-indaceno [1,2-b:5,6-b′] dithiophene-2,7-diyl) bis (4-((2-ethylhexyl) oxy) thiophene-5,2-diyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-2,1-diylidene)) dimalononitrile (IEICO-4F)), in chlorobenzene (antisolvent), the use of the solution in the treatment of perovskite films during spin-coating, and the fabrication of solar cells using the treated perovskite films. IEICO-4F formed a charge transfer bridge at the perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD interface and improved the charge extraction and transport. Furthermore, the addition of IEICO-4F facilitated the crystallization, improved the surface morphology, and enhanced the passivation of trap sites of perovskite films. Meanwhile, a reliable power conversion efficiency exceeding 20% for CH3NH3PbI3-based cells and 15.72% for CsPbBrI2-based all-inorganic PSCs was realized. These values surpass those of the control devices (i.e., 18.66% and 13.30%, respectively).
Block Iodide, Save Perovskite Modules
Publication date: 20 November 2019
Source: Joule, Volume 3, Issue 11
Author(s): Zhen Li
Stability of small area perovskite solar cells has been notably improved, but large area modules have not been proven stable. Recently in Joule, E. Bi and coworkers present a highly stable perovskite module that kept 90% of its initial efficiency after 1,000 h operation under illumination. The secret is an iodide diffusion blocking layer (DBL) added at the module interconnection. The DBL with 2D graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) flakes can suppress iodide diffusion at the interconnection and prevent electrode corrosion.
Manipulation of exciton and trion quasiparticles in monolayer WS2 via charge transfer
Charge doping in transition metal dichalcogenide is currently a subject of high importance for future electronic and optoelectronic applications. Here, we demonstrate chemical doping in the CVD-grown monolayer (1L) of WS2 by a few commonly used laboratory solvents by investigating the room temperature photoluminescence (PL). The appearance of distinct trionic emission in the PL spectra and quenched PL intensities suggests n-type doping in WS2. The temperature-dependent PL spectra of the doped 1L-WS2 reveal a significant enhancement of trions emission intensity over the excitonic emission at low temperature, indicating the stability of trion at low temperature. The temperature-dependent exciton-trion population dynamic has been modeled using the law of mass action of trion formation. These results shed light on the solution-based chemical doping in 1L-WS2 and its profound effect on the photoluminescence which is essential for the control of optical and electrical properties for optoelectronic applications.
Noncovalent functionalization of hole-transport materials with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for stable inverted perovskite solar cells
DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05410C, Paper
A new promising strategy to improve the stability of inverted perovskite solar cells is reported.
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