Fabrication of solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) requires the deposition of high quality films from precursor inks. Frequently, buffer layers of PSCs are formed from dispersions of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, the development of trustable methods for the preparation of stable colloidal NPs dispersions is crucial. In this work, a novel approach to form very compact semiconducting buffer layers with suitable optoelectronic properties is presented through a self-functionalization process of the nanocrystalline particles by their own amorphous phase and without adding any other inorganic or organic functionalization component or surfactant. Such interconnecting amorphous phase composed by residual nitrate, hydroxide, and sodium ions, proved to be fundamental to reach stable colloidal dispersions and contribute to assemble the separate crystalline nickel oxide NPs in the final film, resulting in a very homogeneous and compact layer. A proposed mechanism behind the great stabilization of the nanoparticles is exposed. At the end, the self-functionalized nickel oxide layer exhibited high optoelectronic properties enabling perovskite p-i-n solar cells as efficient as 16.6% demonstrating the pertinence of the presented strategy to obtain high quality buffer layers processed in solution at room temperature.
Effective control of the interface between the metal cathode and the electron transport layer (ETL) is critical for achieving high performance p-i-n planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Several organic molecules have been explored as interlayers between the silver (Ag) electrode and the ETL for the improvement in the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of p-i-n planar PSCs. However, the role of these organic molecules in the charge transfer at the metal/ETL interface and the chemical degradation processes of PSCs has not yet been fully understood. In this work, we systematically explore the effects of the interfacial modification of the Ag/ETL interface on PSCs using rhodamine 101 as a model molecule. By the insertion of rhodamine 101 as an interlayer between Ag and fullerene derivatives (PC60BM and PC70BM) ETLs improve the PCE as well as the stability of p-i-n planar PSCs. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization reveals that rhodamine passivates the defects at the PCBM layer and reduces the band bending at the PCBM surface. In consequence, charge transfer from the PCBM towards the Ag electrode is enhanced leading to an increased fill factor (FF) resulting in a PCE up to 16.6%. Moreover, rhodamine acts as a permeation barrier hindering the penetration of moisture towards the perovskite layer as well as preventing the chemical interaction of perovskite with the Ag electrode. Interestingly, the work function of the metal cathode remains more stable due to the rhodamine incorporation. Consequently, a better alignment between the quasi-Fermi level of PCBM and the Ag work function is achieved minimizing the energy barrier for charge extraction. This work contributes to reveal the relevance of proper interfacial engineering at the metal-cathode/organic-semiconductor interface.
Since the first reports of efficient organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells in 2012, an explosion of research activity has emerged around the world, which has led to a rise in the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) to over 20%. Despite the impressive efficiency, a key area of the device which remains suboptimal is the electron extraction layer and its interface with the photoactive perovskite. Here, we implement an electron collection "bilayer" composed of a thin layer of zirconia coated with titania, sitting upon the transparent conductive oxide fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). With this double collection layer we have reached up to 17.9% power conversion efficiency, delivering a stabilized power output (SPO) of 17.0%, measured under simulated AM 1.5 sunlight of 100 mW cm irradiance. Finally, we propose a mechanism of the charge transfer processes within the fabricated architectures in order to explain the obtained performance of the devices.
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have
been extensively studied in
recent years due to their unexpected properties and low-temperature
processing. In terms of morphology, the annealing conditions are crucial
and highly determinant on the performance of the devices. Here, it
is important to know the heat transfer in order to prevent detrimental
effects in the photovoltaic performance principally produced by low
crystallization and localized excessive thermal stress in the synthesized
perovskite. In this work, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
was used to reveal the thermal transitions occurring during crystallization
of a mesoporous alumina-based PSC. We found that when the mixed-halide
perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3–x
Cl
x
) is crystallized in the presence
of a mesoporous layer, the heat transfer flux is affected and therefore
the perovskite formation shifts to higher temperatures, causing the
infiltrated perovskite to crystallize differently than the capping
layer. DSC analysis also indicated that when low annealing temperatures
were used, the perovskite did not present good crystallinity, while
at high temperatures the thermal stress generated on the infiltrated
perovskite promoted low efficiencies. Finally, the optimal crystallization
conditions were found to be 100 °C for 90 min, with a short postannealing
at 130 °C for 10 min, which promoted a photoconversion efficiency
up to 10.89%.
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