Suppressing ZnO-Induced Decomposition in Perovskite Solar Cells via Glycine-Based Chelation Strategy.

High-performance methylammonium-free ideal-band-gap perovskite solar cells

Lead-free tin perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention for their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and potential for cost-effective, large-scale manufacturing. This comprehensive review focuses on the role of buried interface engineering in enhancing the performance and stability of PSCs with both n-type electron transport layer/perovskite/p-type hole transport layer (n-i-p) and p-type hole transport layer/perovskite/n-type electron transport layer (p-i-n) structures. This study highlights key challenges associated with interface engineering, such as charge extraction, recombination loss, and energy level alignment. Various interface engineering techniques, such as surface passivation, self-assembled monolayers, and additive engineering, are explored in terms of their effectiveness in mitigating recombination loss and improving long-term device stability. This review also provides an in-depth analysis of material selection for the electron and hole transport layers, defect management techniques, and the influence of these on perovskite film quality and device stability. Advanced characterization methods for buried interfaces are discussed, providing insights into the structural, morphological, and electronic properties that govern device performance. Furthermore, we explore emerging approaches that target homogenous cation distribution and phase stability at buried interfaces, both of which are crucial for improving PCEs beyond current benchmarks. By synthesizing the latest research findings and identifying key challenges, this review aims to guide future directions in interface engineering for PSCs and ensure their successful use in next-generation sustainable energy technologies.Graphical

Investigating the influence of the Ag and Al co-doping in ZnO electron transport layer on the performance of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells using experimentation and SCAPS-1D simulation

Decoupling the effects of defects on efficiency and stability through phosphonates in stable halide perovskite solar cells

Interfacial engineering is essential for facilitating carrier separation, charge extraction, and enhancing the stability in organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a facile and effective method is demonstrated not only to tune the electronic performance of electron transporting layer (ETL) but also to passivate the defects at the interface between the ETL and perovskite. On the top of the tin(IV) oxide (SnO2) ETL, butylammonium chloride (BACl) and lead(II) iodide (PbI2) are introduced as interface to modify the ETL/perovskite interface. The PSCs with interface modified exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.15%, compared to 18.33% for the device without interface modified. Such enhancement in efficiency is mainly attributed to a better energy band alignment, and the quality of perovskite films is improved through the interface modification, thus enhancing photogenerated charge extraction and leading to low charge carrier recombination at the interface of ETL/perovskite. Furthermore, the device with interface modified exhibits significant stability. This work provides an alternative strategy on the ETL/perovskite interface to obtain highly stable and efficient PSCs.

Influence of Charge Transport Layers on Capacitance Measured in Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

MA0.6FA0.4PbI3 material based efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are fabricated by electron transport layer (ETL) interfacial modification. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of device was ~ 17%. Cesium acetate and cesium carbonate were used with low temperature processed sol-gel ZnO ETL for interface modifications. Low leakage current and enhanced dark injection current are observed from dark current-voltage measurement. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement higher recombination resistance and lower interfacial contact resistance are observed in the PSC devices. Mott-Schottky analysis also shows the higher flat-band potential and enhanced device performance with cesium acetate ETL. Cesium acetate related ZnO ETL has large grain size which leads to reduce the device series resistance and contact resistance in PSC compared to cesium carbonate ETL related device. Perovskite film on cesium acetate ETL has better surface morphology, topography and hydrophobicity characterization compared to perovskite film grown on cesium carbonate ETL film. The material work function and electron injection barrier are also investigated by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements the charge transport behaviour and trap-assisted carrier recombination are estimated. Fabricated PSCs device stability has been measured for a month-long degradation study. The PSC device stability is observed four times higher with cesium acetate PSCs compared to cesium carbonate ETL related PSCs. The overall device PCE is around 82% higher with cesium acetate compared to cesium carbonate devices.

Carrier Dynamics Engineering for High-Performance Electron-Transport-Layer-free Perovskite Photovoltaics

Perovskite solar cells are one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies and have made extraordinary advances in production efficiency and simple processes. The possibility of replacing the extensively used silicon-based solar cell nowadays by perovskite solar cell has triggered a surge of interest in researching this unprecedented photovoltaic. The quality of the buried interface plays a crucial role in determining high performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Large defect density in perovskite solar cells has a destructive effect on device performance and modification of electron transport material is therefore considered as a feasible solution to this problem since it can not only passivate defects but also enhance the electrical property of electron transport material. However, it is challenging to guarantee its quality, performance and stability, which is pivotal for the commercialization of PSCs.A popular seasoning and flavor enhancer, AJI-NO-MOTO, an MSG (monosodium glutamate) product, is the purest form of AJI-NO-MOTO, the fifth taste, altogether different from sweet, salty, sour and bitter. AJI-NO-MOTO is widely used to intensify and enhance AJI-NO-MOTO flavors in sauces, broths, soups and many more foods. AJI-NO-MOTO is used around the world to bring out the delicious flavor of foods. Herein, we have identified that this AJI-NO-MOTO element makes not only food but also PSC "tastier". A facile strategy is developed to modify the SnO2/perovskite buried interface by incorporating different amount of AJI-NO-MOTO into SnO2 colloidal dispersion to improve performance and stability. AJI-NO-MOTO (monosodium glutamate) is a cheap and common material with multidentate ligands can coordinate with Sn to form stable dispersion, inhibiting the agglomeration of nanoparticles at the buried interface. In addition, the coordination between AJI-NO-MOTO and SnO2 nanoparticles in turn promotes the uniform distribution of AJI-NO-MOTO, which facilitates the uniform and effective passivation of the buried defects. The AJI-NO-MOTO modified SnO2 colloidal dispersion was utilized as electron transport material to fabricate perovskite solar cells. Throughout the experiment, AJI-NO-MOTO modified SnO2 colloidal dispersion as an electron transport layer was found that could considerably enhance the performance of the device compared to the pristine tin oxide. The conductivity of the as-spun AJI-NO-MOTO modified tin oxide layer was enhanced because of its dense and well-distributed film quality. Defect density in perovskite layer was also reduced due to the enlarged perovskite crystal and a suitable amount of non-reacted lead iodide passivating grain boundaries of perovskite crystal when a portion of AJI-NO-MOTO was dissolved in the perovskite precursor solution. Both the enhanced conductivity of the electron transport layer and reduced defect density in the perovskite layer led to a significantly promoted electron transfer efficiency from the perovskite layer to the electron transport layer.Employing a planar structure of FTO/SnO2/perovskite/OABr/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were systematically fabricated to explore the impact of AJI-NO-MOTO doping incorporation on J-V performance. Fig 1. illustrates the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) for PSCs with varying AJI-NO-MOTO doping concentrations. Photovoltaic parameters, including Voc, Jsc, and FF are also depicted. Notably, the higher photovoltaic performance was achieved with AJI-NO-MOTO doping, with the higher Voc. Consequently, the conversion efficiency of AJI-NO-MOTO treated perovskite solar cell displayed an 7.7% remarkable improvement from 19.4 ± 1.4% to 20.9 ± 1.0% on average and an 5.0% improvement from 22.1% to 23.2% in champion devices when AJI-NO-MOTO modified tin oxide as electron transport layer was used in comparison with pristine tin oxide. This facile AJI-NO-MOTO modification strategy to tin oxide had achieved great success and may provide an opportunity for improving the performance and enhances the operation stability of perovskite solar cells. Figure 1

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have attracted much attention due to their high power conversion efficiency (>25%) and low-cost fabrication. Yet, improvements are still needed for more stable and higher-performing solar cells. In this work, a series of TiO2 nanocolumn photonic structures have been intentionally fabricated on half of the compact TiO2-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by glancing angle deposition with magnetron sputtering, a method particularly suitable for industrial applications due to its high reliability and reduced cost when coating large areas. These vertically aligned nanocolumn arrays were then applied as the electron transport layer into triple-cation lead halide perovskite solar cells based on Cs0.05(FA0.83MA0.17)0.95Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3. By comparison to solar cells built onto the same substrate without nanocolumns, the use of TiO2 nanocolumns can significantly enhance the power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cells by 7% and prolong their shelf life. Here, detailed characterizations on the morphology and the spectroscopic aspects of the nanocolumns, their near-field and far-field optical properties, solar cells characteristics, as well as the charge transport properties provide mechanistic insights on how one-dimensional TiO2 nanocolumns affect the performance of perovskite halide solar cells in terms of charge transport, light harvesting, and stability, knowledge necessary for the future design of higher-performing and more stable perovskite solar cells.

Revivification of nickel oxide-perovskite interfaces via nickel nitrate to boost performance in perovskite solar cells

Tailoring defects in electron transporting Zn2SnO4 layers by multilayer engineering and Cr doping towards efficient and stable carbon-based perovskite solar cells

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are significantly reduced by defect-induced charge non-radiative recombination. Also, unexpected residual strain in perovskite films leads to an unfavorable impact on the stability and efficiency of PSCs, notably flexible PSCs (f-PSCs). Considering these problems, a thorough and effective strategy is proposed by incorporating phytic acid (PA) into SnO2 as an electron transport layer (ETL). With the addition of PA, the Sn inherent dangling bonds are passivated effectively and thus enhance the conductivity and electron mobility of SnO2 ETL. Meanwhile, the crystallization quality of perovskite is increased largely. Therefore, the interface/bulk defects are reduced. Besides, the residual strain of perovskite film is significantly reduced and the energy level alignment at the SnO2/perovskite interface becomes more matched. As a result, the champion f-PSC obtains a PCE of 21.08% and rigid PSC obtains a PCE of 21.82%, obviously surpassing the PCE of 18.82% and 19.66% of the corresponding control devices. Notably, the optimized f-PSCs exhibit outstanding mechanical durability, after 5000 cycles of bending with a 5mm bending radius, the SnO2-PA-based device preserves 80% of the initial PCE, while the SnO2-based device only remains 49% of the initial value.

Block Iodide, Save Perovskite Modules