Avoiding Structural Collapse to Reduce Lead Leakage in Perovskite Photovoltaics

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a promising candidate for the next‐generation photovoltaic technologies. As an essential element for high‐efficiency PSCs however, the heavy metal Pb is soluble in water, causing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Due to the weak ionic bonding in three‐dimensional (3D) perovskites, drastic structure decomposition occurs when immersing the perovskite film in water, which accelerates the Pb leakage. By introducing the chemically stable Dion‐Jacobson (DJ) 2D perovskite at the 3D perovskite surface, the film dissolution is significantly slowed down, which retards lead leakage. As a result, the Pb contamination is dramatically reduced under various extreme conditions. In addition, the PSCs device deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.6 % and retain over 95 % of their initial PCE after the maximum power point tracking for over 1100 h.

Sustainable Pb Management in Perovskite Solar Cells toward Eco‐Friendly Development

“…[123] Wei et al introduced a Dion-Jacobson (DJ) structure on the surface of 3D perovskite by utilizing the hydrogen bonding and chemical interaction between the 2,2′-Dithiobis(ethylamine) cations (DOE 2+ ) and [PbI 6 ] 4octahedra. [124] The introduction of the DJ phase avoids the collapse of the perovskite structure and the generation of Pb 0 . Chemically stable 2D perovskite significantly slowed down the film dissolution, thus retarded Pb leakage and extended the time period for damaged device recycling.…”

Mitigating Potential Lead Leakage Risk of Perovskite Solar Cells by Device Architecture Engineering from Exterior to Interior

“…136 Chen et al introduced the chemically stable Dion-Jacobson 2D perovskite material of (DOE)PbI 4−x Cl x (DOE 2+ : 2,2′-dithiobis(ethylamine) cations) at the 3D perovskite surface, and the Pb leakage was significantly slowed down. 137 Mesoporous Lead-Adsorption Scaffold. In addition to introducing an interfacial lead-trapping barrier on top of perovskite, Pb-adsorption materials can also be employed inside the perovskite layer.…”

“…As a result, Pb leakage can be significantly mitigated . Chen et al introduced the chemically stable Dion-Jacobson 2D perovskite material of (DOE)­PbI 4– x Cl x (DOE 2+ : 2,2′-dithiobis­(ethylamine) cations) at the 3D perovskite surface, and the Pb leakage was significantly slowed down …”

Chemical approaches for electronic doping in photovoltaic materials beyond crystalline silicon

“…422–424 Similarly, Lewis acid-based traps, such as the undercoordinated Pb 2+ and Pb clusters, can be eliminated by the Lewis base, such as the molecules containing functional groups like nitrogen (N) or sulphur (S) with a pair of nonbonding electrons. 425–428…”

“…[422][423][424] Similarly, Lewis acid-based traps, such as the undercoordinated Pb 2+ and Pb clusters, can be eliminated by the Lewis base, such as the molecules containing functional groups like nitrogen (N) or sulphur (S) with a pair of nonbonding electrons. [425][426][427][428] The charged nature of the defects in the perovskite surface enables the neutralization through ionic bonding, such as conversion of surface imperfections to wide bandgap materials. PbI 2 is a wide bandgap material with a band gap of 0.8 eV greater than that of MAPbI 3 .…”