Managing
defects in SnO2 is critical for improving the
power conversion efficiency (PCE) of halide perovskite-based solar
cells. However, typically reported SnO2‑based perovskite
solar cells have inherent defects in the SnO2 layer, which
lead to a lower PCE and hysteresis. Here, we report that a dual-coating
approach for SnO2 with different annealing temperatures
can simultaneously form a SnO2 layer with high crystallinity
and uniform surface coverage. Along with these enhanced physical properties,
the dual-coated SnO2 layer shows favorable band alignment
with a mixed halide perovskite. After careful optimization of the
dual-coating method, the average PCE of the perovskite solar cell
based on the dual-coated SnO2 layer increases from 18.07
to 19.23% with a best-performing cell of 20.03%. Note that a facile
two-step coating and annealing method can open new avenues to develop
SnO2-based perovskite solar cells with stabilized and improved
photovoltaic performances.
The
power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solution-processed organic–inorganic
hybrid perovskite solar cells has been drastically improved. Despite
this considerable progress, systematic research on precursor solution
chemistry and its effects on photovoltaic parameters has been limited
thus far. Herein, we report on the tracking of changes in chemical
species in a precursor solution under solar illumination and investigate
the correlation between the equilibrium change and the corresponding
perovskite film formation. The illuminated perovskite precursors display
a higher density of high-valent iodoplumbate, where the resulting
perovskite film exhibits reduced defect density with uniform film
formation. Conclusively, the perovskite solar cells prepared by the
photoaged precursor solution demonstrate not only improved average
PCE but also enhanced reproducibility with a narrow PCE distribution.
This discovery shows robust control of perovskite precursor solutions
from a simple treatment and suggests that the resulting uniform film
may be applicable to various halide perovskite-based devices.
Although
lead halide perovskite (LHP) solar cells can be externally
applied to water electrolysis for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, an
LHP device with a monolithic configuration for photoelectrochemical
(PEC) cells is more economically ideal for viable hydrogen production.
To this end, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)/oxygen evolution
reaction (OER) catalyst attachment on the LHP solar cell terminals
is a governing factor for high efficiency and stable operation. Herein,
we report monolithic PEC cells with a double-cation perovskite solar
cell connected to a robust 3D OER catalyst using conductive carbon
powders for minimal ohmic contact loss. The monolithic PEC cell exhibits
0.56 V onset potential and a maximum photocurrent density of 24.26
mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE (reversible hydrogen electrode
(RHE)) with a 9.16% applied bias photon-to-current efficiency. This
result will stimulate commercial-level application of LHP-based PEC
cells for solar water splitting as well as solar-to-fuel conversion
with high efficiency.
Hydrogen is a promising future sustainable fuel candidate with boundless opportunities. Research into photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting based on a lead halide perovskite (LHP) has progressed significantly with the aim of more efficient solar hydrogen production. Herein, we unite a well-known photo-absorbing LHP with cost-effective water-splitting catalysts, and we introduce two types of monolithic LHP-based PEC devices that act as a photocathode and a photoanode for the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, leading to efficient unbiased overall water splitting.Through the integration of these two monolithic LHP-based photoelectrodes, an unbiased solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 10.64% and a photocurrent density of 8.65 mA cm −2 are achieved.perovskite, photoelectrochemical cell, photoelectrode, unassisted
| INTRODUCTIONPhotoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, 1 a promising artificial photosynthesis method, is a potential alternative technique for generating renewable fuel. Conventional PEC devices with metal oxides can generate renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen, from water splitting, which can alleviate CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels. However, most readily employed metal oxide-based PEC devices exhibit poor photocurrent density under 1 sun conditions and Carbon Energy.
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