Monolithic Lead Halide Perovskite Photoelectrochemical Cell with 9.16% Applied Bias Photon-to-Current Efficiency

Abstract

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.

Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation: A Virtual Issue

“…Electrochemical methods can be used to control the morphology of the semiconductor surface and to explore new semiconductor materials and co-catalystsestablishing their interfacial charge-transfer processes under bandgap irradiation or applied bias. − A common theme in PEC cell development is the optimization of charge separation efficiency by modification of interlayers and interfaces. Indeed, in recent work from Jeon, Park, and co-workers, minimizing ohmic contact losses in a lead halide perovskite, buried junction PEC device afforded a significant enhancement in photoconversion efficiency . Overall, PEC cells offer the unique opportunity to independently develop semiconductor photocathodes for direct reduction of H + (or water) and photoanodes for water (OH – ) oxidation.…”

“…Indeed, in recent work from Jeon, Park, and co-workers, minimizing ohmic contact losses in a lead halide perovskite, buried junction PEC device afforded a significant enhancement in photoconversion efficiency. 20 Overall, PEC cells offer the unique opportunity to independently develop semiconductor photocathodes for direct reduction of H + (or water) and photoanodes for water (OH − ) oxidation. While hydrogen generation in the latter case occurs at the counter electrode, the integration of a photoanode and photocathode into a tandem cell configuration will likely be the key to improving overall solar-to-H 2 conversion by improving the harvesting of solar photons.…”

Stable Cs2ReX6 (X – Cl, Br) vacancy-ordered perovskites for solar water splitting

“…The device architecture in these devices follows a multilayer photovoltaic configuration with electron/hole transport layers for selective charge extraction and metal contacts. On top of these multilayer configurations, protection layers based on (i) InBiSn alloy (Field’s metal), 19,20 (ii) metal foils including titanium and nickel, 21,22 (iii) carbon materials, 23 and (iv) atomic layer deposited oxides, 24 were employed. Essentially all the selective charge extraction layers, metal contacts plus the additional protection layers act to prevent contact between perovskite and the electrolyte.…”

Recent progress in chalcogenide perovskites: toward low-temperature solution processing

“…교수팀 [1] 이 최초로 MAPbI 3 기반 태양전지를 보고한 이 후, 2012년 Park 그룹의 최초의 전고상 기반 페로브스 카이트 태양전지 [2] 및 Snaith 그룹이 보고한 10.9 % 효 율의 페로브스카이트 태양전지 [3] 등의 혁신을 발판으로, 최근 25.6 %의 단일 접합 효율 [4] 및 32.5 %의 텐덤 소 자 효율 [5] 이 보고되는 등 짧은 기간 내에 큰 진보를 이 루었다. 뿐만 아니라, 할로겐 페로브스카이트는 독특한 광전기적 특성을 바탕으로 태양전지를 넘어 LED [6] , 그 린수소 생산 [7] , X-ray [8] 검출기, 메모리 소자 [9] 등의 다 양한 응용분야에서 큰 관심을 받고 있다. 하지만 할로 겐 페로브스카이트의 이러한 유망한 특성들에도 불구하 고, 주로 Pb 기반의 할로겐 페로브스카이트의 독성 문 제와 수분에 취약한 이온성 결정 특징은 할로겐 페로 브스카이트 기반 태양전지 및 광전소자의 상용화에 주 요한 걸림돌로 작용되고 있다.…”