Scalable solution coating of the absorber for perovskite solar cells

Perovskite-based solar cell technology has advanced significantly and the power conversion efficiencies are nowadays on par with commercialized photovoltaic technologies. To realize the potential of perovskite solar cells, the focus is now shifting to scalable fabrication technologies that will enable low-cost solution processing of perovskite solar cells over large areas and with high yields. This review article discusses the fundamental concerns that arise when transitioning from laboratory to large area solution coating, available scalable coating technologies, and their applicability to the fabrication of high-performance perovskite solar cells. We find that a significant amount of work has been done to test scalable coating technologies, but also that often the methods that led to highest-performing cells in the laboratory (e.g. antisolvent processing) show limited compatibility with scalable coating methods. To achieve a high-yield and low-cost process, development must emphasize a high degree of control provided by sequential conversion of perovskite films and engineering of additives that fine-tune coating properties of perovskite precursor inks

Determination and correlation of solubility and solution thermodynamics of 1, 2-diphenylethane in different pure solvents

117-122The correlation of solubility and solution thermodynamics of 1,2- diphenylethane in different pure solvents has been studied. The mole fraction solubilities of 1, 2-diphenylethane in acetone, chloroform, dichloromethane, and ethanol increase with temperature. The mole fraction solubility in acetone, chloroform and dichloromethaneare much higher than that in ethanol and the mole fraction solubilities in chloroform and dichloromethane are higher than that in acetone. The solubility data were well correlated by the modified Apelblat,the semi-empirical Buchowski-Ksiazczak λh equation, and the ideal solution equation.The enthalpy, entropy and apparent free Gibbs energy of solution in different solvents were calculated. The dissolving process of 1,2-diphenylethane was endothermic, entropy-driving and not spontaneous

Determination of Carrier Diffusion Length Using Transient Electron Photoemission Microscopy in the GaAs/InSe Heterojunction

Carrier diffusion length and lifetime parameters for electron transport at nanoscale semiconductor slabs have been fitted using a 1D model and the decay data extracted from transient photoemission electron microscopy. Meanwhile, a conventional photoluminescence quenching measurement needs two separate samples with an active material between blocking and quenching layers to characterize the carrier transport properties. In this work, only one few-layer monocrystalline sample of gamma-InSe containing different thicknesses of active material is used to obtain a common diffusion coefficient consistent with previously reported values for vertical carrier diffusion in layered InSe

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

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