Recombination junctions for efficient monolithic perovskite-based tandem solar cells: physical principles, properties, processing and prospects

Erkan Aydin,Thomas G Allen,Furkan H Isikgor,Stefaan De Wolf,Michele De Bastiani,Anand S Subbiah

doi:10.1039/d0mh00990c

Abstract

Here, we review the physics and the technology of the recombination junction in perovskite-based tandem solar cells, with a summary of the most successful works.

Highlights

Further power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvements are needed to continue the steady decrease in the levelized costs of electricity generation (LCOE) of PV
The fundamental understanding of the mechanisms that govern the recombination in perovskite tandems will push the research to test new materials and designs of the recombination junction (RJ), with the common goal to improve the performances of the tandems
We have already mentioned the importance of controlling the doping level to realize efficient tunneling diodes; from the latter, we have already found useful the presence of a thin metal layer within the RJ, to favor the trapassisted tunneling (TAT) mechanism

Summary

Introduction

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated an unprecedented surge in device performance,[1,2,3] nowadays with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above 25%.4 This success can largely be ascribed to the excellent optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites, such as a sharp and high onset of their absorption coefficient, a low Urbach energy, a tunable bandgap, long carrier diffusion length, and low nonradiative recombination rates of charge carriers.[5,6,7,8,9,10,11] These properties make PSCs ideal candidates for the realization of tandem devices, coupled with established technologies such as crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells.[12,13] This is of high relevance as it opens a realistic route to overcome the practical single-junction PCE limit of c-Si, which is steadily approaching, even in mass manufacturing environments.

Results

Conclusion