Growth of MAPbI3 perovskite films on MWCNT-modified TiO2 thin films for solar cell applications

Abstract

In this work, we have modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) films by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in TiO2-sol. TiO2 and MWCNT-modified TiO2 thin films have been prepared via solution processing spin coating route. Further, the structural, optical, and surface morphology of methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) films have been studied onto pristine TiO2 and MWCNT-modified TiO2 films. We extensively analyze how different MWCNT concentrations impact the TiO2 and perovskite film structure, optoelectronic properties, and surface characteristics. The findings highlight that the MAPbI3 films maintain a tetragonal structure with enhanced crystallinity compact and smooth surface morphology in MWCNT-modified TiO2/MAPbI3 films. Besides this, enhanced optical absorbance in MAPbI3 films have also been observed on perovskite films fabricated onto MWCNT-modified TiO2 films with enlarged grains and a red shift in optical band gap has been observed for MWCNT-modified TiO2 films and MWCNT-modified TiO2/ MAPbI3 films. Further, various critical electrical parameters such as charge carrier concentration, Hall mobility, sheet resistance, and resistivity have been investigated to understand the effects of the incorporation of MWCNT on TiO2 films. The value of carrier concentration enhances from 3.76 × 1024 cm−3 to 6.39 × 1024 cm−3 on incorporation of MWCNT in TiO2 films. Furthermore, an enhancement in crystallinity, optical absorbance, and grain size has been observed in perovskite films fabricated onto TiO2/MWCNT films. Thus, TiO2 modification with MWCNT can tune the optical and charge transport properties of charge-transporting layer TiO2 films for perovskite photovoltaics and other optoelectronic devices.