Double-Layered Zirconia Films for Carbon-Based Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells and Photodetectors

George Syrrokostas,Spyros N Yannopoulos,George Leftheriotis

doi:10.1155/2019/8348237

Abstract

Carbon-based mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and photodetectors were fabricated with the application of double-layered ZrO2 films, consisting of zirconia nanoparticles and microparticles for the first and the second layer, respectively. This assembly exploits the ability of the zirconia microparticles to scatter and hence diffuse the incident light, causing a more efficient illumination of the perovskite layer. As a result, the photocurrent densities produced by a photodetector and a carbon-based PSC were increased by nearly 35% and 28%, respectively, compared to devices assembled using a conventional single zirconia film. Following the increase in the photocurrent, the responsivity of the photodetector and the power conversion efficiency of the PSC were increased analogously, due to the improved light harvesting efficiency of the perovskite layer. Parameters, such as the total thickness, the roughness, and the crystallinity of the films, were examined. Differences in the grain size and in the crystal planes of the perovskite were observed and evaluated. These results demonstrate that a double-layered ZrO2 film can enhance the efficiency of solar cells and photodetectors, enhancing the prospects for their potential commercialization.

Highlights

Solar cells based on organolead halide perovskites (PSC) have attracted the intense interest of researchers worldwide during the last several years
A typical solar cell consists of a transparent conductive glass electrode (FTO or ITO), an electron transport layer (ETL, usually TiO2 or ZnO), a layer based on ZrO2 or Al2O3 acting as a spacer, and a carbon electrode (Figure 1) [9, 10]
We have proposed and demonstrated the use of double-layered ZrO2 films, one layer consisting of ZrO2 nanoparticles and the other one of ZrO2 microparticles, acting as spacers in carbon-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs)

Summary

Introduction

Solar cells based on organolead halide perovskites (PSC) have attracted the intense interest of researchers worldwide during the last several years. This intensive research work has led to certified power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20% [1, 2]. The main component of these devices is the perovskite layer, acting both as a light harvester and charge transport material. A typical solar cell consists of a transparent conductive glass electrode (FTO or ITO), an electron transport layer (ETL, usually TiO2 or ZnO), a layer based on ZrO2 or Al2O3 acting as a spacer, and a carbon electrode (Figure 1) [9, 10]. The perovskite penetrates inside the mesoporous structure, by drop casting a perovskite precursor solution on top of the carbon electrode

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Conclusion