Capturing the Sun: A Review of the Challenges and Perspectives of Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract

following statement: These materials can be processed from solution and yet exhibit optoelectronic materials properties described in classic solid-state physics textbooks. This unprecedented combination has led to photovoltaic devices that can be processed at room temperature and achieve performance levels similar to industry giant polycrystalline silicon, from a starting point of 3.8% in 2009. [1][2][3][4] The first light-emitting electrochemical cells [5] and diodes [6][7][8] have also been introduced recently, leading to tunable light emission spectra and internal quantum efficiencies exceeding 15%.The road towards these achievements has been marked by a constant improvement of perovskite deposition techniques fueled by our increasing understanding of the crystallization processes. The choice of deposition technique, either from solution or vapor, and the composition and order in which precursor species are applied has a great influence on the crystallization kinetics. Here, one can distinguish one-step methods where the perovskite is formed from a precursor mixture dissolved in a common solution, and two-step methods where the inorganic compound is deposited first and transformed to the perovskite phase later by addition of the organic constituents. [9][10][11] Furthermore, many parameters during processing can have an effect on the crystallization mechanism and consequently on film morphology, such as the choice of solvents, concentrations and processing additives that are often not incorporated into the final product. [11][12][13] We discuss this aspect in Section 2, where we focus our attention on the most commonly employed solution-based techniques. Additionally, as for any new technology trying to displace an incumbent technology, higher efficiencies, lower costs, reproducibility, stability, and sustainability are paramount. In particular, reproducibility has been a major challenge in perovskite solar cells from the beginning: small variations in morphology, like crystal size, film roughness, and pinholes can have detrimental effects on photovoltaic performance. [14] On the other hand, current-voltage measurements often showed a hysteresis that is rarely seen in other photovoltaic technologies. [15] These topics are highlighted in Sections 3 and 4. Finally, in Section 5 we discuss the framework for market introduction, such as cost reduction by choosing low-cost charge transport layers, or how the lifetime of perovskite absorbers can be extended by the choice of materials composition.Hybrid metal halide perovskites have become one of the hottest topics in optoelectronic materials research in recent years. Not only have they surpassed everyone's expectations and achieved similar performance as tried and true polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic devices, but they are also finding applications in a variety of different fields, including lighting. The main advantages of hybrid metal halide perovskites are simple processability, compatible with large-scale solution processing such as roll-to-roll printing, a...

Carrier Interfacial Engineering by Bismuth Modification for Efficient and Thermoresistant Perovskite Solar Cells

“…FA 0.83 MA 0.17 Pb(I 0.83 Br 0.17 ) 3 was used as the control perovskite photoactive material. [24,25] As illustrated in Figure 1a, all the diffraction peaks of MB x (x = 0, 1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, and 5.0) films match the tetragonal structure of FA 0.83 MA 0.17 Pb(I 0.83 Br 0.17 ) 3 . The solution ratio information can be found in the Experimental Section.…”

Toward Design of Novel Materials for Organic Electronics

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organic/inorganic perovskites solar cells [6] to printable electronic circuits based on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). [7] While OLED displays outperform their inorganic counterparts in terms of energy efficiency, [8] scientific and technical challenges concerning the stability and processability of the organic materials used in large-area OLEDs and organic solar cells remain.

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“…New challenges arise from applications, such as displays on flexible substrates, OLED lightning, large area displays as well as for printable or solution processable larger area solar cells. There are other materials related issues, such as limited OLED life times due to unstable blue hosts and emitters, [9] low fill factors, and therefore reduced power conversion efficiencies of organic solar cells, [10,11] low conductivity and high costs of organic charge transport layers of perovskite solar cells [6,12,13] and low conductivity and hard processability of crystalline OFET materials. There are other materials related issues, such as limited OLED life times due to unstable blue hosts and emitters, [9] low fill factors, and therefore reduced power conversion efficiencies of organic solar cells, [10,11] low conductivity and high costs of organic charge transport layers of perovskite solar cells [6,12,13] and low conductivity and hard processability of crystalline OFET materials.…”

Rapid Layer‐Specific Annealing Enabled by Ultraviolet LED with Estimation of Crystallization Energy for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

“…This wavelength selection aligns well with the peak absorption of MAPbI 3 in the ultraviolet A (UVA) range at ≈354 nm. [37][38][39] We show that with well-controlled dosages, UV irradiation can facilitate perovskite reaching a good crystalline state and favorable surface morphology. [34][35][36] We consider that this is not a proper conclusion without mentioning the dosage of the UV exposure.…”