Organic additive engineering toward efficient perovskite light‐emitting diodes

Perovskite materials with excellent optical and electrical properties are promising for light‐emitting diodes. In the field of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), organic materials additive engineering has been proved to be an effective scheme for enhancing efficiency and stability in PeLEDs. Most impressively, the reported external quantum efficiency of PeLEDs based on perovskite‐organic composite has reached over 20%. Herein, we will review the important progress of the organic materials\u27 additive‐modified PeLEDs and discuss the remaining problems and challenges and the key research direction in the near future

Thermal degradation of formamidinium based lead halide perovskites into sym-triazine and hydrogen cyanide observed by coupled thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry analysis

The thermal stability and decomposition products of formamidinium, a widely used organic cation in perovskite solar cell formulation, were investigated. The thermal degradation experiments of formamidinium-based perovskites and their halide precursors were carried out under helium atmosphere and vacuum at a constant heating rate of 20 degrees C min(-1). In addition, pulsed heating steps were employed under illumination/dark conditions to simulate a more realistic working temperature condition for photovoltaic devices. The identification of gas decomposition products was based on the quadrupole mass spectrometry technique. The released amounts of sym-triazine, formamidine, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were observed to highly depend on the temperature. For the experimental conditions used in this study, sym-triazine was obtained as the thermal product of degradation at temperatures above 95 degrees C. Below this temperature, only formamidine and HCN generation routes were observed. The energy pathways of formamidinium thermal degradation under photovoltaic working temperature conditions were further assessed by density functional theory calculations. The results indicated that formamidinium was more resilient to thermal degradation and the release of irreversible decomposition products compared to methylammonium because of a larger enthalpy and activation energy obtained for the decomposition reactions. The HCN instantaneous concentration observed during the low temperature heating tests and the estimations of the maximum release of HCN achievable per meter-square of an FA based perovskite based solar cell were compared to acute exposure guideline levels of airborne HCN concentration

Stacked-graphene layers as engineered solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) grown by chemical vapour deposition for lithium-ion batteries

A multi-layer of stacked-graphene (8 layers of basal planes) grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is introduced as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer onto a transition metal oxide cathode for lithium-ion batteries. The basal planes are generally regarded as a strong physical barrier that prevents lithium-ion diffusion, although it is believed that a small number of lithium-ions can migrate through the defect sites of the stacked layers. Interestingly, the unique design of the stacked-graphene perpendicular to the basal planes not only effectively suppresses the formation of instable SEI layers, but also achieves a reasonable amount of battery charge capacities. To correctly understand the impact from the stacked design, we further studied the rate kinetics difference between slow cycles (0.125 C→0.250 C→0.400 C→0.125 C) and rapid cycles (C→2 C→3 C→C). We propose that the clap-net like design of the stacked-graphene could enable the effective conducting pathway for electron transport, while protecting the active material inside. The magnetic measurements reveal the efficient Li+ (de)intercalation into graphene-layers. The artificial SEI also renders the electrode/electrolyte interface more stable against dynamic rate changes. The present approach provides a particular advantage in developing high stability battery that can be utilized at various charge rates

Research progress on organic–inorganic halide perovskite materials and solar cells

Owing to the intensive research efforts across the world since 2009, perovskite solar cell power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are now comparable or even better than several other photovoltaic (PV) technologies. In this topical review article, we review recent progress in the field of organic–inorganic halide perovskite materials and solar cells. We associate these achievements with the fundamental knowledge gained in the perovskite research. The major recent advances in the fundamental perovskite material and solar cell research are highlighted, including the current efforts in visualizing the dynamical processes (in operando) taking place within a perovskite solar cell under operating conditions. We also discuss the existing technological challenges. Based on a survey of recently published works, we point out that to move the perovskite PV technology forward towards the next step of commercialization, what perovskite PV technology need the most in the coming next few years is not only further PCE enhancements, but also up-scaling, stability, and lead-toxicity

High-throughput surface preparation for flexible slot die coated perovskite solar cells

To achieve industrially viable fabrication process for perovskite-based solar cells, every process step must be optimized for maximum throughput. We present a study of substituting laboratory-type UV-Ozone surface treatment with a high-throughput Corona treatment in a scalable perovskite solar cell fabrication process. It is observed that water contact angle measurements provide insufficient information to determine the necessary dose of Corona or UV-Ozone treatment, but the surface carbon signal measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy accurately identifies when surface contamination has been completely removed. Furthermore, we observe highly accelerated de-contamination of ZnO surfaces by UV-Ozone treatment. The effect can be explained by photocatalytic O-2(-) ion generation indicating that UV-Ozone treatment is also applicable in high-throughput processing

Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Multiple Ligand Passivation

In the past decade, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells quickly increased from 3.8% to 25.2%. The quality of perovskite films plays vital role in device performance. The films fabricated by solution-process are usually polycrystalline, with significantly higher defect density than that of single crystal. One kind of defect in the films is uncoordinated Pb2+, which is usually generated during thermal annealing process due to the volatile organic component. Another detrimental kind of defect is Pb-0, which is often observed during the film fabrication process or solar cell operation. Because the open circuit voltage has a close relation with the defect density, it is thus desirable to passivate these two kinds of defects. Here, a molecule with multiple ligands is introduced, which not only passivates the uncoordinated Pb2+ defects, but also suppresses the formation of Pb-0 defects. Meanwhile, such a treatment improves the energy level alignment between the valence band of perovskite and the highest occupied molecular orbital of spiro-OMeTAD. As a result, the performance of perovskite solar cells significantly increases from 19.0% to 21.4%

Recent Progress of All‐Bromide Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

Inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted enormous attention during the past 5 years. Many advanced strategies and techniques have been developed for fabricating inorganic PSCs with improved efficiency and stability to realize commercial applications. CsPbBr3 is one of the representative materials of inorganic perovskites and has demonstrated excellent stability against thermal and high humidity environmental conditions. The power conversion efficiency of CsPbBr3-based PSCs has increased significantly from 5.95% in 2015 to 10.91%, and the storage stability under moisture (approximate to 80% relative humidity) and heat (approximate to 80 degrees C) is more than 2000 h. The outstanding performance of CsPbBr3 PSCs shows great potential in light-to-electricity conversion applications. In this review, recent developments of CsPbBr3-based PSCs including the physico-chemical as well as optoelectronic properties, processing techniques for fabricating CsPbBr3 films, derivative phase structures, efficiency, and stability of devices are reviewed and discussed. Finally, the challenges and outlook of CsPbBr3 PSCs for future research directions are outlined

Additives in metal halide perovskite films and their applications in solar cells

The booming growth of organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite solar cells have made this promising photovoltaic technology to leap towards commercialization. One of the most important issues for the evolution from research to practical application of this technology is to achieve high-throughput manufacturing of large-scale perovskite solar modules. In particular, realization of scalable fabrication of large-area perovskite films is one of the essential steps. During the past ten years, a great number of approaches have been developed to deposit high quality perovskite films, to which additives are introduced during the fabrication process of perovskite layers in terms of the perovskite grain growth control, defect reduction, stability enhancement, etc. Herein, we first review the recent progress on additives during the fabrication of large area perovskite films for large scale perovskite solar cells and modules. We then focus on a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the roles of additives for perovskite grain growth control, defects reduction, and stability enhancement. Further advancement of the scalable fabrication of high-quality perovskite films and solar cells using additives to further develop large area, stable perovskite solar cells are discussed

Advances and challenges to the commercialization of organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cell technology

When transferring photovoltaic technologies from laboratory-scale fabrication to industrial applications, low cost, large area, high throughput, high solar-to-energy power conversion efficiency, long lifetime, and low toxicity are crucial attributes. In recent years, organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising high-performance, cost-effective solar cell technology. However, most of the best reported efficiencies have been obtained on small active-area devices (∼0.1 cm2). Therefore, development of protocols to industrialize such a technology is of paramount importance. In this article, we review the progress of perovskite solar cells with a particular emphasis on fabrication processes and instrumentation that have scale-up potential. For successful commercialization, the capacity to fabricate large-area modules is essential. Long-term stability is discussed, focusing on lifetime measurement and quantification protocols for commercialization. Cost-performance and life-cycle assessment analysis based on recently reported state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells are discussed. These analyses offer insights regarding required efficiency, module area size, and lifetime, in order for perovskite solar cells to be competitive with existing photovoltaic technologies. Finally, lead toxicity and possible solutions to this issue will be discussed. In the outlook, we outline future research directions based on reported results and trends in the field

Elucidating the Mechanism Involved in the Performance Improvement of Lithium‐Ion Transition Metal Oxide Battery by Conducting Polymer

Surface treatments with conducting polymers are effective in ameliorating charge capacities and cycling performances for a wide range of lithium‐ion batteries such as Li‐layered transition metal oxide, Li‐sulfur, and Li‐air batteries. So far, however, very little is known about the key process directly involved with the improvement of cell performance and stability. The present study examines how a conducting polymer can contribute to charge capacity enhancement, employing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene‐sulfonate) coating on the lithium‐layered transition metal oxide cathode. The property of the electrode interface layer is studied on the basis of the local atomic environments. The conducting polymer not only hinders the formation of LiF, carbonates, and semicarbonates compounds but also renders the nature of the solid‐electrolyte interphase layer formed during electrochemical cycles. Furthermore, it inhibits the dissolution of the active material into the electrolyte and preserves the initial atomic states including the active material bulk. The coating enables good consistency in the local atomic environment with depth at the electrode interface, which in turn impedes the phase mismatch resulting from the surface reconstruction on the layered oxide electrode. This further mitigates the phase transformation of the active material, resulting in a lower voltage decay on charge–discharge