Laminated Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics

Abstract

Perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics have attracted enormous attention in science and technology over recent years. In order to improve the performance and stability of the technology, new materials and processes need to be investigated. However, the established sequential layer deposition methods severely limit the choice of materials and accessible device architectures. In response, a novel lamination process that increases the degree of freedom in processing the top perovskite solar cell (PSC) is proposed. The very first prototypes of laminated monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with stable power output efficiencies of up to 20.0% are presented. Moreover, laminated single‐junction PSCs are on par with standard sequential layer deposition processed devices in the same architecture. The numerous advantages of the lamination process are highlighted, in particular the opportunities to engineer the perovskite morphology, which leads to a reduction of non‐radiative recombination losses and and an enhancement in open‐circuit voltage (Voc). Laminated PSCs exhibit improved stability by retaining their initial efficiency after 1‐year aging and show good thermal stability under prolonged illumination at 80 °C. This lamination approach enables the research of new architectures for perovskite‐based photovoltaics and paves a new route for processing monolithic tandem solar cells even with a scalable lamination process.

Evaporated Self‐Assembled Monolayer Hole Transport Layers: Lossless Interfaces in p‐i‐n Perovskite Solar Cells

“…[19,26,[83][84][85] Combining a sputtered NiO x layer to provide uniform and conformal coverage with solutionprocessed SAMs as a double-layer HTL has demonstrated comparable or even superior PCEs compared to PSCs using standalone solution-processed SAMs processed over planar and micrometer-sized textured substrates. [4,17,27,49,50,[86][87][88] Given that uniform coverage is even more crucial for a textured surface, this combination is expected to be beneficial. Recently, Liu and coworkers have reported on fully textured, production line compatible monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells with ≈29% PCE.…”

“…[49] Critically, deposition of SAM-HTLs has thus far been limited to solution-based methods. [8,44,46,[48][49][50][51][52] Development of alternative scalable deposition methods, such as vacuum-based evaporation techniques, is crucial to improve process flexibility. Commercial PV production lines predominantly utilize vacuum-based deposition methods, allowing ready incorporation of vacuum-based methods for large-scale perovskite production.…”

Photovoltaic Materials and Their Path toward Cleaner Energy

“…Considering cleaner methods for energy conversion, photovoltaics become a key component of the relatively new scientific discipline: integrative technologies. Wu et al [54] recently stated that flexible perovskite/c-Si tandem technology with excellent 27.6% conversion efficiency is the most competitive candidate for the next generation mass-produced solar cells integrated on the buildings' exterior while Roger et al [55] suggested technological solutions for commercially viable production of similar material. Simultaneously, flexible photovoltaic materials capable of high-power conversion efficiency in the low light environments become developed for indoor applications [56] while near-infrared dye-sensitized solar cells can satisfy high aesthetic requirements, if required.…”

Lamination methods for the fabrication of perovskite and organic photovoltaics

“…However, one of the most dominant challenges in using this method for PSC fabrication is the sensitivity of organicinorganic perovskite films to high temperatures and pressures due to the volatile components and the soft nature of perovskite films. [66][67][68][69] The lamination methods also have been used for stacking different parts of the OPV devices, including polymeric top electrodes using an adhesive, [70][71][72] the photoactive polymer layer, 73,74 or anode and cathode half stacks. 75,76 Likewise, laminated-OPVs employ similar strategies as laminated-PSCs regarding the substrate, equipment, and processes.…”

“…However, one of the most dominant challenges in using this method for PSC fabrication is the sensitivity of organic–inorganic perovskite films to high temperatures and pressures due to the volatile components and the soft nature of perovskite films. 66–69…”