Research Progress on Homogeneous Fabrication of Large-Area Perovskite Films by Spray Coating

Abstract

The bottleneck for large-scale processing within perovskite solar cells (PSCs) development is the stringent need for uniform thin films. On a lab scale, the spin coating methodology with acceptable uncertainty ensures a high level of uniformity with minimal roughness, no voids, and reproducible procedures. However, the technique is strongly limited for up-scaling because the uncertainty is out of range from the spin center to the edge, resulting in areas only up to a few cm2. In order to boost the industrialization of PSCs, the spray coating (SC) methodology can represent a good solution for achieving the goal of uniformity (in terms of crystal size, film thickness, and roughness) that, combined to a reduced active materials waste, compatible to roll2roll production line, will pave the way to PSCs mass production. In this critical review, we present the technological features of SC relevant to PSCs development and critically discuss the key points on which to address the focus for achieving optimal and reliable performances in connection with the fundamental higher potential of SC over spin-coating in allowing to control thin film homogeneity. This review can help in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells but also can contribute to the development of scale-up methodologies.