ABSTRACT:We report for the first time on a hole conductor-free mesoscopic lead iodide CH3NH3PbI3(perovskite)/TiO2 heterojunction solar cell, produced by deposition of perovskite nanoparticles from a solution of CH3NH3I and PbI2 in -butyrolactone on a 400nm thick film of TiO2 (anatase) nanosheets exposing (001) facets. An Au film was evaporated on top of the CH3NH3PbI3 served as a back contact. Importantly, the CH3NH3PbI3 nanoparticles act assumes here simultaneously the role of light harvester and hole conductor rendering superfluous the use of an additional hole transporting material. The simple mesoscopic CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 heterojunction solar cell shows impressive photovoltaic performance with short circuit photocurrent (Jsc) of 16.1 mA/cm 2 , an open circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 0.631 V and a fill factor (FF) of 0.57, corresponding to a light to electric power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.5% under standard AM 1.5 solar light of 1000 W/m 2 intensity. At a lower light intensity of 100W/m 2 a PCE of 7.3 % was measured. The advent of such simple solution processed mesoscopic heterojunction solar cells paves the way for new advances to realize low cost, high-efficiency solar cells.

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We report on accelerated degradation testing of MAPbX3 films (X = I or Br) by exposure to concentrated sunlight of 100 suns and show that the evolution of light absorption and the corresponding structural modifications are dependent on the type of halide ion and the exposure temperature. One hour of such exposure provides a photon dose equivalent to that of one sun exposure for 100 hours. The degradation in absorption of MAPbI3 films after exposure to 100 suns for 60 min at elevated sample temperature (∼45-55 °C), due to decomposition of the hybrid perovskite material, is documented. No degradation was observed after exposure to the same sunlight concentration but at a lower sample temperature (∼25 °C). No photobleaching or decomposition of MAPbBr3 films was observed after exposure to similar stress conditions (light intensity, dose, and temperatures). Our results indicate that the degradation is highly dependent on the hybrid perovskite composition and can be light- and thermally enhanced.

This perspective paper focuses on the dimensionality of organic–inorganic halide perovskites and their relevant advantages over 3D halide perovskites.