Abstract
This paper focuses on the development of 2-terminal CIGS-perovskite tandem solar cells by exploring a range of stack sequences and synthetic procedures for depositing the associated layers. In the end, we converged at a stack sequence composed of SLG/Mo/CIGS/CdS/i-ZnO/ZnO:Al/NiO/PTAA/Perovskite/LiF/PCBM/SnO2/ITO. With this architecture, we reached performances only about 1% lower than the corresponding 4-terminal tandem cells, thus demonstrating functional interconnects between the two sub-cells while grown monolithically on top of each other. We go through the stack, layer-by-layer, discussing their deposition and the results, from which we can conclude what works, what does not work, and what potentially could work after additional modifications. The challenges for a successful 2-terminal tandem device include: how to deal with, or decrease, the surface roughness of the CIGS-stack, how to obtain uniform coverage of the layers between the CIGS and the perovskite while also obtaining a benign interface chemistry, and how to tune the band gaps of both the CIGS and the perovskite to obtain good optical matching. The investigation was based on CIGS with a power conversion efficiency around 14%, and perovskites with an efficiency around 12%, resulting in 2-terminal tandem cells with efficiencies of 15–16%. The results indicate that by using higher performing CIGS and perovskite sub-cells, it should be possible to manufacture highly efficient 2-terminal CIGS-perovskite tandem devices by using the protocols, principles, and procedures developed and discussed in this paper.
Highlights
Abundant supply of affordable energy is a fundament of our civilisation, and if we desire development and prosperity to continue to be hallmarks of our collective existence, we would better switch towards more long-term sustainable energy solutions
This paper focuses on the development of 2-terminal CIGS-perovskite tandem solar cells by exploring a range of stack sequences and synthetic procedures for depositing the associated layers
Two of those, which are the focus of this paper, are solar cells based on lead halide perovskites and CIGS (CuInxGa1-xSe2), which if combined in a tandem architecture potentially could outperform standard single junction silicon
Summary
Abundant supply of affordable energy is a fundament of our civilisation, and if we desire development and prosperity to continue to be hallmarks of our collective existence, we would better switch towards more long-term sustainable energy solutions. Lead halide perovskite solar cells are the runner up in the PV-field (Correa-Baena et al, 2017) They entered the solar cell community as a nano-particle curiosity in 2009 (Kojima et al, 2009), and have since become a large research field including a variety of structures and material combinations and have reached above 25% certified record efficiency (Green et al, 2019). This class of perovskites has a range of properties that has made this development possible. Advancements in long-term stability, scalability, and reproducibility are still required, but given the recent pace of progress, the perovskites have a reasonable chance to end up as a low-cost, efficient, and competitive solar cell technology
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