Abstract
A novel all-solid-state, hybrid solar cell based on organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite (CH3NH3PbX3) materials has attracted great attention from the researchers all over the world and is considered to be one of the top 10 scientific breakthroughs in 2013. The perovskite materials can be used not only as light-absorbing layer, but also as an electron/hole transport layer due to the advantages of its high extinction coefficient, high charge mobility, long carrier lifetime, and long carrier diffusion distance. The photoelectric power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cells has increased from 3.8% in 2009 to 22.1% in 2016, making perovskite solar cells the best potential candidate for the new generation of solar cells to replace traditional silicon solar cells in the future. In this paper, we introduce the development and mechanism of perovskite solar cells, describe the specific function of each layer, and focus on the improvement in the function of such layers and its influence on the cell performance. Next, the synthesis methods of the perovskite light-absorbing layer and the performance characteristics are discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the development of perovskite solar cells are also briefly presented.
Highlights
With increasing global energy consumption and environmental pollution, traditional fossil energy sources cannot meet the sustainable development of human society
Cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenium thin-film solar cells have achieved a high efficiency of photovoltaic conversion in the laboratory, but the industrial applications are restricted by the high production cost, environmental pollution, and other problems [5]
We review the advances in the recent developments, as well as the fundamentals and basic structures of the perovskite solar cells
Summary
With increasing global energy consumption and environmental pollution, traditional fossil energy sources cannot meet the sustainable development of human society. The monocrystalline silicon/polycrystalline silicon solar cells currently employed in industrial applications have achieved a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of more than 20% [3, 4] Such silicon-based solar cells are characterised by a high cost, harsh preparation conditions, and serious environmental pollution. Cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenium thin-film solar cells have achieved a high efficiency of photovoltaic conversion in the laboratory, but the industrial applications are restricted by the high production cost, environmental pollution, and other problems [5]. Dye-sensitized solar cells, as the representative of the third-generation solar cells, have achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency of more than 13% in the laboratory and have developed rapidly due to their significant advantages, including low cost, simple process, and high efficiency [4]. We outline the future research directions based on the reported results
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