Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ying Shen, Kaimo Deng, Liang Li
Summary: Perovskite solar cells have achieved high power conversion efficiency, but long-term stability remains a challenge. The focus is on improving the stability of the hole transport layer Spiro-OMeTAD to achieve efficient and long-lasting perovskite solar cells.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanchun Xiang, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu, Wolfgang Tress
Summary: Metal halide inorganic perovskite materials are of interest for photovoltaic applications due to their superior thermal stability. Solar cells based on inorganic perovskites have achieved a PCE over 20%, with more room for improvement compared to organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells. Interfaces play a crucial role in limiting the photovoltage and charge extraction efficiency in inorganic perovskite solar cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tanzi Ahmed Chowdhury, Md. Arafat Bin Zafar, Md. Sajjad-Ul Islam, M. Shahinuzzaman, Mohammad Aminul Islam, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
Summary: Although the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has reached 25.8%, their commercialization is hindered by poor stability. Researchers worldwide have employed various initiatives, such as structural modification and fabrication techniques, to improve the stability. This review addresses recent advancements in PSCs regarding structural modification and fabrication procedures, with a focus on the effect of fabrication processes on device stability.
Article
Physics, Applied
Shiqiang Fu, Jiahao Wang, Like Huang, Xiaohui Liu, Jing Zhang, Ziyang Hu, Yuejin Zhu
Summary: Efficient electron transport layer-free perovskite solar cells (ETL-free PSCs) offer low-cost and simpler device configurations, but suffer from low performance due to interfacial energy loss. Improving carrier lifetimes of perovskite films can enhance carrier extraction efficiency at the FTO/perovskite interface, leading to high performance comparable to ETL devices. This research provides insights into high-performance ETL-free PSC device design.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrea Zanetta, Isabella Bulfaro, Fabiola Faini, Matteo Manzi, Giovanni Pica, Michele De Bastiani, Sebastiano Bellani, Marilena Isabella Zappia, Gabriele Bianca, Luca Gabatel, Jaya-Kumar Panda, Antonio Esau Del Rio Castillo, Mirko Prato, Simone Lauciello, Francesco Bonaccorso, Giulia Grancini
Summary: We propose a scalable strategy to improve the performance of fullerene-based electron-transporting layers (ETLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating high-quality few-layer graphene flakes (GFs) into phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) matrix.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ran Wang, Amal Altujjar, Nourdine Zibouche, Xuelian Wang, Ben F. Spencer, Zhenyu Jia, Andrew G. Thomas, Muhamad Z. Mokhtar, Rongsheng Cai, Sarah J. Haigh, Jennifer M. Saunders, M. Saiful Islam, Brian R. Saunders
Summary: This study investigates the effects of two different coumarin additives on the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. It is found that adding these additives can improve the power conversion efficiency and stability of the cells, with CMA additive showing better performance. Furthermore, it is observed that as the hydrophobicity of the coumarin increases, the binding to Pb2+ and passivation abilities also increase, leading to reduced charge recombination.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia Zhang, Jiajun Qin, Weidong Cai, Yipeng Tang, Huotian Zhang, Tong Wang, Artem Bakulin, Bin Hu, Xiao-Ke Liu, Feng Gao
Summary: The role of charge-transport layers on the lasing actions of perovskite films is explored. Introducing an additional hole transport layer, poly(triaryl amine) (PTAA), significantly reduces the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) threshold and enhances ASE intensity. The key role of the PTAA layer is to accelerate the hot-carrier cooling process by extracting holes in perovskites. By manipulating hot holes, the ASE threshold can be further reduced, demonstrating the importance of transport layer engineering for electrically pumped perovskite lasers.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Arzu Ocebe, Ismail Cihan Kaya
Summary: Cs2AgBiBr6 films were synthesized by the gas-quenching process and employed as light-absorbing layer in perovskite solar cells. The addition of BMIMPF6 ionic liquid enhanced the crystallinity of perovskite and improved the power conversion efficiency of the cells.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiqin Ying, Xi Yang, Jingming Zheng, Yudong Zhu, Jingwei Xiu, Wei Chen, Chunhui Shou, Jiang Sheng, Yuheng Zeng, Baojie Yan, Hui Pan, Jichun Ye, Zhubing He
Summary: The use of a BCP:Ag complex effectively improves electron transport and electrical contact in semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, leading to higher fill factor and device efficiency. Additionally, the complex acts as a blocking layer to suppress charge recombination and protect the underlying materials from damage.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Liang Si, Josef Kaufmann, Zhicheng Zhong, Jan M. Tomczak, Karsten Held
Summary: Although perovskites have been suggested as next generation transparent conductors, the required mass enhancement inevitably leads to increased optical absorption. High-grade perovskite transparent conductors can be identified through hole doping, larger bandwidths, and band separation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Khalid Hossain, G. F. Ishraque Toki, Intekhab Alam, Rahul Pandey, D. P. Samajdar, Md. Ferdous Rahman, Md. Rasidul Islam, M. H. K. Rubel, H. Bencherif, Jaya Madan, Mustafa K. A. Mohammed
Summary: In this study, the potential of CsPbI3 as an absorber material for perovskite solar cells was investigated. Through the use of TiO2 as the electron transport layer and CBTS as the hole transport layer, and employing SCAPS-1D software, the best-optimized device structure, ITO/TiO2/CsPbI3/CBTS/Ni, achieved a power conversion efficiency of 17.91%. Various factors such as absorber thickness, acceptor density, and defect density were analyzed to further optimize device performance, resulting in an improved efficiency of 19.06% with HTL.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fengshuo Zu, Marcel Ross, Lennart Frohloff, Dongguen Shin, Nir Tessler, Steve Albrecht, Norbert Koch
Summary: Tremendous progress has been made in utilizing metal halide perovskites (MHPs) in various applications, particularly in photovoltaics, in the past decade. To fully realize the potential of MHP materials in optoelectronic devices, a better understanding of the electronic energy level alignment at perovskite-based interfaces is required, especially under device operation conditions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ubaid Khan, Tahseen Iqbal, Mehreen Khan, Rongguang Wu
Summary: By introducing a double electron transport layer (DETL), the energy loss in perovskite solar cells was effectively mitigated, resulting in an improved energy conversion efficiency of 15.22%. The best performance was achieved with an optimized thickness of ZnO layer reaching 210 nm.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yoshiyuki Murakami, Fumitaka Ishiwari, Kazumasa Okamoto, Takahiro Kozawa, Akinori Saeki
Summary: The impact of EB radiation on the performance of PSCs was studied, revealing a decrease in power conversion efficiency while the photoconductivities of individual layers remained intact. Significant dedoping of the HTM layer was observed, which could be partially restored through exposure to short-wavelength light. This study demonstrates the resilience of perovskite against EB and sheds light on the degradation mechanism of overall PSC performance.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Optics
Kai Yao, Siqi Li, Zhiliang Liu, Yiran Ying, Petr Dvorak, Linfeng Fei, Tomas Sikola, Haitao Huang, Peter Nordlander, Alex K-Y Jen, Dangyuan Lei
Summary: This study investigates the influence of plasmonic resonance on carrier dynamics in perovskite solar cells by incorporating specially designed poly(3-aminothiophenol)-coated gold nanoparticles into the perovskite absorber. Through changes in the photophysical properties of the OIHP films, transient absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations, the research shows that plasmon excitation can fill trap sites at the grain boundary region and improve the device performance. The work provides clear evidence for plasmon-induced trap occupation in OIHP, suggesting that plasmonic nanostructures may be effective additives to enhance the efficiency of perovskite solar cells and thin-film solar cells in general.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Physics, Applied
Feray unlu, Meenal Deo, Sanjay Mathur, Thomas Kirchartz, Ashish Kulkarni
Summary: The efficiency of perovskite solar cells has increased significantly in the past decade, showing great promise for the next generation of solar cells. However, concerns about the adverse effects of lead on health and the environment have hindered their commercialization. This review focuses on the development of lead-free perovskite materials, particularly bismuth-based perovskites, which have shown enhanced stability under ambient conditions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sudeshna Maity, Charusheela Ramanan, Freek Ariese, Roderick C. MacKenzie, Elizabeth von Hauff
Summary: Self-heating in organic electronics can affect electrical performance and degrade devices. However, quantifying self-heating effects in disordered organic semiconductors using only electrical techniques is difficult due to their complex transport properties. Therefore, more direct methods are needed to monitor the impact of self-heating on device performance. This study visualizes self-heating in organic polymer diodes using Raman spectroscopy and quantifies the thermal effects by observing temperature-dependent shifts in polymer vibrational modes.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Osbel Almora, Derya Baran, Guillermo C. Bazan, Carlos I. Cabrera, Sule Erten-Ela, Karen Forberich, Fei Guo, Jens Hauch, Anita W. Y. Ho-Baillie, T. Jesper Jacobsson, Rene A. J. Janssen, Thomas Kirchartz, Nikos Kopidakis, Maria A. Loi, Richard R. Lunt, Xavier Mathew, Michael D. McGehee, Jie Min, David B. Mitzi, Mohammad K. Nazeeruddin, Jenny Nelson, Ana F. Nogueira, Ulrich W. Paetzold, Barry P. Rand, Uwe Rau, Henry J. Snaith, Eva Unger, Lidice Vaillant-Roca, Chenchen Yang, Hin-Lap Yip, Christoph J. Brabec
Summary: This article summarizes the best achievements in the performance of emerging photovoltaic devices in various research subjects, as reported in peer-reviewed articles since August 2021. The article provides updated graphs, tables, and analyses of performance parameters, and compares them based on the photovoltaic bandgap energy and average visible transmittance. The scope of the report is expanded to include triple junction solar cells.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tulus, Junke Wang, Yulia Galagan, Elizabeth Von Hauff
Summary: We used impedance analysis to quantify electrochemical losses in perovskite solar cells based on MAPbI(3) films. We focused on the characteristic signatures in the impedance spectra, particularly the negative capacitance hook observed at low frequencies. By applying a generalized equivalent circuit model, we determined that the negative capacitance is due to slow electrochemical dynamics. We also observed a non-linear response at higher applied voltages, indicating irreversible chemical changes in the absorber layer.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Gianluca Grimaldi, Bruno Ehrler
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xabier Rodriguez-Martinez, Paula Hartnagel, Sergi Riera-Galindo, Gulzada Beket, Thomas Osterberg, Feng Gao, Thomas Kirchartz, Olle Inganas
Summary: Non-fullerene acceptors have revolutionized indoor organic photovoltaics with high power conversion efficiencies, but transferring this performance to larger-scale prototyping remains challenging. The PM6:IO4Cl blend, a successful indoor OPV photoactive layer, is investigated for its industrial potential, and the thick and semitransparent devices are fabricated in air. Anomalous current-voltage characteristics are observed, with the cathode side generally outperforming the anode side due to a dead layer at the PAL/anode contact interface. Symmetric J-V curves and improved light utilization efficiency are achieved by making the PALs thin enough. Certain all-polymer and polymer:fullerene blends are identified as suitable candidates for thick device up-scaling, and ternary blends show potential in mitigating electrical asymmetry.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pan Li, Sven H. C. Askes, Esther del Pino Rosendo, Freek Ariese, Charusheela Ramanan, Elizabeth von Hauff, Andrea Baldi
Summary: In this work, temperature measurements at the nanoscale were achieved by exploiting the combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and the temperature dependence of Raman peaks in beta-CuPc. The temperature of plasmonic gold nanoparticles under laser irradiation was determined by measuring the temperature-dependent Raman shifts of beta-CuPc films coated on an array of Au nanodisks and using calibration curves. The extracted temperatures were confirmed to be consistent with numerical modeling results.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Alyssa F. J. van den Boom, Silvia Ferro, Maria C. Gelvez-Rueda, Han Zuilhof, Bruno Ehrler
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alyssa F. J. van den Boom, Silvia Ferro, Maria Gelvez-Rueda, Han Zuilhof, Bruno Ehrler
Summary: In order to improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells, a sensitizing layer of singlet-fission material can be used to increase the current generated by high-energy photons and reduce energy losses. A model using Si(111) surfaces and tetracene was constructed, and the effect on energy transfer was limited despite a change in crystal structure and ordering of the tetracene close to the seed layer, indicating a need for further investigation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paula Hartnagel, Sandheep Ravishankar, Benjamin Klingebiel, Oliver Thimm, Thomas Kirchartz
Summary: In the past years, high-performance organic solar cells have emerged, reducing the amount of energetic disorder in structurally disordered semiconductors. It is crucial to accurately characterize this disorder when searching for future high-efficiency material systems. Common techniques include optical excitation and external voltage measurements, with the former yielding lower values of energetic disorder compared to the latter. Electrical measurements probe different energy ranges than optical measurements due to subband-gap density of states. Limitations and discrepancies between measurement techniques are explained based on electronic parameters.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Mario Zinsser, Tim Helder, Theresa Magorian Friedlmeier, Andreas Bauer, Thomas Kirchartz, Uwe Rau, Rolf Waechter, Michael Powalla
Summary: Precise modeling of solar cell devices is crucial for optimizing and improving future technologies. The authors present a verified numerical model that can analyze losses and predict energy yield of thin film solar cells. The holistic simulation approach includes various physical levels and allows for accurate predictions and analysis of module behavior.
COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Lucie McGovern, Esther Alarcon-Llado, Erik C. Garnett, Bruno Ehrler, Bob van der Zwaan
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dana Luebke, Paula Hartnagel, Markus Huelsbeck, Thomas Kirchartz
Summary: The adjustable band gap of molecular semiconductors is advantageous for indoor light harvesting. However, challenges such as processability in nonhalogenated solvents, high thicknesses, and high efficiencies at low illuminances exist. This study developed new methods to identify performance losses based on current density-voltage measurements and fabricated solar cells using a specific blend and solvent. The analysis revealed the importance of shunt resistances and trap-assisted recombination in achieving high photovoltaic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leo Sahaya Daphne Antony, Sjoerd van Dongen, Gianluca Grimaldi, Simon Mathew, Lukas Helmbrecht, Arno van der Weijden, Juliane Borchert, Imme Schuringa, Bruno Ehrler, Willem L. Noorduin, Esther Alarcon-Llado
Summary: Two-dimensional (2D) lead halide perovskites have attracted significant attention as promising materials for photovoltaics and optoelectronic applications. In this study, the effects of the Pb oxidation state on the growth of pure-phase 2D perovskite BA(2)PbI(4) were investigated. It was found that direct formation of BA(2)PbI(4) can be achieved by exposing PbO2 to BAI:IPA solution without the need for an external reducing agent. The difference in morphology and nanocrystal growth rate was attributed to the different chemistry and iodoplumbate complexes involved in each case.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maarten L. S. van der Geest, Jeroen J. de Boer, Kevin Murzyn, Peter Juergens, Bruno Ehrler, Peter M. Kraus
Summary: In this study, time-resolved solid-state high-harmonic spectroscopy was used to investigate carrier dynamics in methylammonium lead bromide thin films. The comparison with transient absorption revealed the relationship between carrier dynamics and generated harmonics.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
