Scalable Deposition Methods for Large‐area Production of Perovskite Thin Films

Abstract

The recent steady improvements in the performance of the nascent hybrid perovskite photovoltaic (PV) devices have led to power conversion efficiencies that rival the best-performing established PV technologies. However, to scale these laboratory demonstrations to PV module-scale production will require development of scalable deposition methods for perovskite thin films. Every record result for perovskite PVs so far was achieved via spin coating, a technique that is popular in research laboratories for thin-film coating over relatively small device areas, but not considered to be a method that could be used to scale up the manufacturing of perovskite PVs. Significantly larger thin-film areas are needed for future commercial PV products. Hence, some researchers have focused their efforts on perovskite deposition techniques that can be considered as scalable for mass production and have achieved notable results even on large areas. Here, we present an overview of the solution-based and vapor-based deposition processes; we explain their influence on the molecular crystal growth behavior of perovskite thin films and discuss the morphology as well as other material quality characteristics. By presenting a comprehensive comparison of the deposition techniques and the corresponding performance parameters for different device sizes, we intent to guide the growing research community through the methods that might enable mass production of perovskite solar products.

Light Absorption and Recycling in Hybrid Metal Halide Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices

“…While solution‐based fabrication methods have produced the most efficient perovskite PV devices, the techniques used are not readily scalable . There are a number of challenges in up‐scaling solution‐based perovskite fabrication methods.…”

“…Additionally, solvent usage poses a particular problem for multi‐layer devices in that it is necessary to use solvents which can dissolve the perovskite precursors without partially or completely dissolving the proceeding layers. The thickness of solution processed films is also limited by the saturation concentration of the perovskite solution and it is challenging to obtain pin‐hole‐free films over a large area based on conventional solution deposition methods …”

A Review on Halide Perovskite Film Formation by Sequential Solution Processing for Solar Cell Applications

“…In particular, progress is yet to be made for large‐area devices processed by sequential processes, building on progress made on 10.1 cm 2 (active area) MAPbI 3 device with a PCE of 13% by CBD …”

Dry Mechanochemical Synthesis of Highly Luminescent, Blue and Green Hybrid Perovskite Solids

“…[9][10][11][12][13] Some of the key factors to obtain high quality perovskites are the purity of the perovskite precursors, the choice of the most appropriate synthetic method, and the control over the environmental processing conditions. [14,15] Solution-based techniques are widely adopted to prepare perovskite compounds. Small amounts of additives (if the solubility in common solvents is sufficient) or different chemical precursors are often used.…”

“…This wide application spectrum is enabled by their remarkable optical and electronic properties, such as their high absorption coefficient, defect tolerance, ambipolar and large charge diffusion length, and high rate of radiative recombination . Some of the key factors to obtain high quality perovskites are the purity of the perovskite precursors, the choice of the most appropriate synthetic method, and the control over the environmental processing conditions . Solution‐based techniques are widely adopted to prepare perovskite compounds.…”