Perovskite-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Efficiency enhancement of perovskite-sensitized solar cell based on electrospun titania nanofibers coated in organic-inorganic hybrid metal trihalide nanocrystals

In this work, we have developed highly efficient, flexible, and thermally stable photoanode materials for perovskite-sensitized solar cells (PSCs). Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3 or CH3NH3PbI3) coated TiO2 nanofibers (TNFs) were prepared by two step process. The cubic crystalline nature of MAPbI3 and the semi-crystalline nature of TNFs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The functional groups present in the photoanode materials were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. From UV–visible spectral studies, the absorption maximum of MAPbI3-coated TNFs was observed at 754 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images of MAPbI3 and TNFs showed a polycrystalline nature and uniform fiber structures, respectively. The highest electrical conductivity of 5.29 × 10−4 S/cm was achieved by the MAPbI3-coated TNFs photoanode, as measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at room temperature. MAPbI3-coated TNFs, Spiro-OMeTAD, and gold chloride were used as the photoanode, hole transport material, and back electrode, respectively, in a PSC. A PSC constructed with MAPbI3-coated TNFs yielded an efficiency of 13.12%, bettering the 11.48% efficiency of a PSCs constructed from MAPbI3-coated TiO2 nanoparticles.

Optoelectronic Study of Polymer Electrolyte Incorporated Perovskite Sensitized Solar Cell

AbstractPerovskite solar cells have appeared as a leading next‐generation photovoltaic technology. However, notwithstanding rolling efficiencies, many questions remain unreciprocated regarding the mechanisms and performance of the operation. Solution‐processed organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskites have fascinated attention as light‐harvesting materials for perovskite solar cells and photonic applications. The present study focuses on the optical and electronic study of CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3CH2NH3PbI3 perovskite fabricated by a one‐step solution‐based self‐assemblage method. It is seen that in this study, methyl group represents a better performance than ethyl‐based perovskite‐sensitized solar cells (PSSCs). All the studies centralize on electro‐optical properties of efficient CH3CH2NH3PbI3 and CH3CH2NH3PbI3 PSSC based on polymer electrolytes. It has also characterized lab synthesized perovskite samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis spectrophotometer, and photovoltaic performance of lab fabricated PSSC is measured by Keithley 2400 resource meter. These findings establish systematic strategy rules to attain silicon‐like efficiencies in simple perovskite solar cells.

(Invited) Porphyrinoid-Carbon Nanostructure Ensembles and Fused Porphyrin-Graphene Nanoribbons

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) have emerged as excellent light harvesting antennas for incorporation into D-A systems, mainly in connection with carbon nanostructures, like endohedral metallofullerenes, SWCNT and graphene, as acceptor or donor moieties, in which the Pc has been attached, covalently or through supramolecular interactions. They are among the few molecules that reveal an intense red and NIR absorption and therefore, constitute also promising dyes in molecular photovoltaics. Pcs have a great chemical versatility, which allows to modify their electronic character and their physicochemical properties by organic synthesis, by introducing substituents in the periphery or modifying the structure of the macrocycle. Most recently they have reached good efficiency values participating as hole transporting materials in Carbon-based Perovskite sensitized solar cells (PSSCs). Pcs are be appropriately designed to adapt well to the electronic levels of the different types of perovskites. Through a rational design, structure-property relationships will be established that will gradually improve the performance of the devices.On the other hand, on-surface synthesis offers a versatile approach to fabricate novel carbon-based nanostructures that cannot be obtained via conventional solution chemistry. Within the family of such nanomaterials, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) hold a privileged position due to their high potential for different applications. One of the key issues for their application in molecular electronics lies in the fine-tuning of their electronic properties through structural modifications, such as heteroatom doping or the incorporation of non-benzenoid rings. In this context, the covalent fusion of GNRs and porphyrins (Pors) represents a highly appealing strategy.

Perovskite-sensitized solar cell utilizing TiO2 nanograss: Effect of dipping time of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite

Organic perovskite has potential to replace organic dye as light absorber in solar cell since it possesses better optical absorption in visible region than organic dye. This work is concerned with the investigation of the influence of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite dipping time on the performance of perovskite-sensitized solar cell (PSSC). The effect of the dipping time on the morphology and photoluminescence of the sample has also been investigated. It was found that the device achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 5.57 ± 0.4% at the optimum dipping time of 4 h. The highest PCE is due to the highest IPCE, lowest Rct and the longest carrier lifetime (τ).

Effect of potassium precursor concentration on the performance of perovskite-sensitized solar cells

Effect of potassium precursor concentration on the performance of perovskite-sensitized solar cells

Porphyrinoid-Carbon Nanostructure Systems and Fused Porphyrin-Graphene Nanoribbons

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) have emerged as excellent light harvesting antennas for incorporation into D-A systems, mainly in connection with carbon nanostructures, like endohedral metallofullerenes, SWCNT and graphene, as acceptor or donor moieties, in which the Pc has been attached, covalently or through supramolecular interactions [1]. They are among the few molecules that reveal an intense red and NIR absorption and therefore, constitute also promising dyes in molecular photovoltaics. Pcs have a great chemical versatility, which allows to modify their electronic character and their physical-chemical properties by organic synthesis, by introducing substituents in the periphery or modifying the structure of the macrocycle. Most recently they have reached good efficiency values participating as hole transporting materials in Carbon-based Perovskite sensitized solar cells (PSSCs). Pcs are be appropriately designed to adapt well to the electronic levels of the different types of perovskite. Through a rational design, structure-property relationships will be established that will gradually improve the performance of the devices.On the other hand on-surface synthesis offers a versatile approach to fabricate novel carbon-based nanostructures that cannot be obtained via conventional solution chemistry. Within the family of such nanomaterials, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) hold a privileged position due to their high potential for different applications. One of the key issues for their application in molecular electronics lies in the fine-tuning of their electronic properties through structural modifications, such as heteroatom doping or the incorporation of non-benzenoid rings. In this context, the covalent fusion of GNRs and porphyrins (Pors) represents a highly appealing strategy [2]. Reference s[1] G. Bottari, M. Á. Herranz, L. Wibmer, M. Volland, L. Rodríguez-Pérez, D. M. Guldi, A. Hirsch, N. Martín, F. D’Souza, T. Torres, Chem . Soc . Rev . 2017, 46 , 4464-4500; G. de la Torre, G. Bottari, T. Torres, Energy Mater. 2017, 1601700[2] L. M. Mateo, Q. Sun, S. Decurtins, S.-X. Liu, J. J. Bergkamp, K. Eimre, C. A. Pignedoli, P. Ruffieux, G. Bottari, R. Fasel, T. Torres, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 1355-1355.

Superficial Synthesis of CdS Quantum Dots for an Efficient Perovskite-Sensitized Solar Cell

In this paper, a thorough investigation of cadmium sulfide nanoparticle characteristics has been studied as a result of the wide attention and enormous application in a solar cell. Perovskite-sensitized solar cells (PSSCs) are a favorably effectual and sanitary hybrid, organic–inorganic solar cell device. The simple way uses synthesized cost-effective CdS quantum dots (QDs) via the sol–gel approach and also investigates their structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of CdS nanoparticles with the density functional theory method in B3LYP. Moreover, we use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques to confirm our calculations and acquire good agreement to the structural analysis of CdS QD formation. The maximum grain diameter is obtained from a HRTEM image, at ∼4 nm. The particle size analyzer that obtained ∼4 nm of CdS QD nanoparticles was determine via a dynamic light scattering study. The results demonstrated that the fabricated CdS QD-based dye-sensitized solar cell and PSSC represented a maximum power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.5 and 1.8% at 1 sun condition. This efficiency was improved by approximately 72%, associated with that of the reference cell.

Density Functional Theory Study of Optical and Electronic Properties of (TiO2)n=5,8,68 Clusters for Application in Solar Cells.

A range of solution-processed organic and hybrid organic−inorganic solar cells, such as dye-sensitized and bulk heterojunction organic solar cells have been intensely developed recently. TiO2 is widely employed as electron transporting material in nanostructured TiO2 perovskite-sensitized solar cells and semiconductor in dye-sensitized solar cells. Understanding the optical and electronic mechanisms that govern charge separation, transport and recombination in these devices will enhance their current conversion efficiencies under illumination to sunlight. In this work, density functional theory with Perdew-Burke Ernzerhof (PBE) functional approach was used to explore the optical and electronic properties of three modeled TiO2 brookite clusters, (TiO2)n=5,8,68. The simulated optical absorption spectra for (TiO2)5 and (TiO2)8 clusters show excitation around 200–400 nm, with (TiO2)8 cluster showing higher absorbance than the corresponding (TiO2)5 cluster. The density of states and the projected density of states of the clusters were computed using Grid-base Projector Augmented Wave (GPAW) and PBE exchange correlation functional in a bid to further understand their electronic structure. The density of states spectra reveal surface valence and conduction bands separated by a band gap of 1.10, 2.31, and 1.37 eV for (TiO2)5, (TiO2)8, and (TiO2)68 clusters, respectively. Adsorption of croconate dyes onto the cluster shifted the absorption peaks to higher wavelengths.

Rapid fabrication of efficient P-type perovskite-sensitized solar cells using hot-air drying method

The successful development of organic-inorganic perovskite materials mainly based on CH3NH3PbI3 has improved the PCE of solar cells significantly and reduced the fabrication cost relatively. The majority of the researches focused on studying different ways of improving the performance and stability of perovskite devices with less attention paid to minimizing the time of fabrication. The reduction of fabrication time can simultaneously reduce the fabrication cost and boost the industrial manufacturing capability. In this work, we report a simple and rapid method of making CH3NH3PbI3 layer at ambient laboratory conditions and applying it for advancing the photon-to-electricity conversion efficiency of liquid-state CuO-based perovskite-sensitized solar cells. The whole fabrication process starting from electrodepositing CuO to sandwiching counter electrode entails less than 10 min and the device efficiency reaches up to 0.35% under one sun illumination.

Performance of perovskite and quantum dot sensitized solar cell based on ZnO photoanode structure

Abstract Perovskite sensitized solar cell (PSSC) and quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSSC) were fabricated through Al doped ZnO based photoanode with different hole transport materials (HTMs). The PSSC achieved a PCE of 9.41% with short circuit current (Jsc) of 16.52 mA/cm2, which was higher than that of QDSSC. This enhancement is attributed to the significant Al-ion doping into ZnO nanostructures, competent CH3NH3SnCl3 perovskite, which might improve the high charge collection and the transfer of electrons at the interfaces of Al doped ZnO layer and the spiro-MeOTAD HTM layer.

Perovskite sensitized erbium doped TiO2 photoanode solar cells with enhanced photovoltaic performance

The strategy of ion doping in metal oxide is generally used to enhance the photoanode film feature, attain a suitable energy band and enhance carrier mobility. Here, a rare earth element erbium was doped into TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL) by adding erbium trinitrate into the titanium precursor solution. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to fabricate perovskite sensitized erbium doped TiO2 nanoparticle (Er3+@TNPs) photoanode solar cell with different hole transport materials (HTMs) and graphite coated counter electrode. The perovskite sensitized solar cell (PSSC) built with CH3NH3SnI3 sensitized Er3+@TNPs photoanode and spiro-MeOTAD HTM shows an impressive photovoltaic performance had the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.54% when compared to the undoped TiO2 photoanode PSSC. The results of this investigation indicate that the rare earth ion doping could be a promising method for producing effective ETL and enhanced performance PSSCs.

Temperature Dependence of a Perovskite-Sensitized Solar Cell: A Sensitized “Thermal” Cell

Efficient and low-cost thermal energy-harvesting systems are needed to solve the global energy problem. Here, we suggest a new energy conversion system for generating electric power from heat without a cooling element. This device is a sensitized thermal cell (STC) based on a dye-sensitized solar cell. A semiconductor is used instead of the dye, and as a result, this system can work by using heat instead of light. To prove the efficacy of this system, we focused on an organic perovskite. This material has been used in a sensitized solar cell, and recent calculations show that it can generate several thermally excited charges at temperatures over 60 °C. Thus, if this perovskite cell can generate electric power with both light irradiation and thermal excitation, the STC concept would be perfectly proven, and the device succeeds thanks to the careful analysis of the perovskite’s unstableness. This is the dawn of the three-dimensional utilization of heat.

Hole Transport Behaviour of Various Polymers and Their Application to Perovskite-Sensitized Solid-State Solar Cells

Inorganic-organic mesoscopic solar cells become a promising alternative for conventional solar cells. We describe a CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite-sensitized solid-state solar cells with the use of different polymer hole transport materials such as 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD), poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), and poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7). The device with a spiro-OMeTAD-based hole transport layer showed the highest efficiency of 6.9%. Interestingly, the PTB7 polymer, which is considered an electron donor material, showed dominant hole transport behaviors in the perovskite solar cell. A 200 nm thin layer of PTB7 showed comparatively good efficiency (5.5%) value to the conventional spiro-OMeTAD-based device.

Cesium Lead Halide Inorganic-Based Perovskite-Sensitized Solar Cell for Photo-Supercapacitor Application under High Humidity Condition

In shaping a clean and green energy environment, the installation of a self-rechargeable supercapacitor in an electric vehicle has the goal of decreasing the emission of unwanted gases, which can be realized by adopting a perovskite solar cell for self-charging the supercapacitor. In this work, a CsPbBr2.9I0.1 perovskite-sensitized solar cell is integrated for the first time with an asymmetrical supercapacitor for a photo-supercapacitor application. Prior to this integration, the performances of the perovskite-sensitized solar cell and supercapacitor are individually examined. The perovskite-sensitized solar cell displays a good efficiency, with the ability to retain 70% of its efficiency after a week of storage in a dark humidity-controlled desiccator and 33% of its efficiency under UV and air exposure at a high relative humidity of more than 80% for 24 h. The asymmetrical supercapacitor exhibits a high areal capacitance of 150 mF cm–2 with a capacitance loss of only 4% after continuous cyclic performanc...

Effect of crystal and powder of CH3NH3I on the CH3NH3PbI3 based perovskite sensitized solar cell

A nanocrystalline sensitizer CH3NH3PbI3 is synthesized by reacting methylammonium iodide with lead iodide, and its structural and photovoltaic properties were studied. In this paper we have succeeded in achieving a promising way of synthesizing powder and crystals of CH3NH3I. The powder of CH3NH3I was synthesized by making a solution of methyl amine and hydroiodic acid (HI) while for getting the crystal of CH3NH3I the same procedure was followed with the treatment of ethanol and further CH3NH3I powder solution was left in refrigerator (48h). For synthesize perovskite solution of powder and crystal, the equimolar ratio of CH3NH3I and PbI2 were mixed in gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) solution. The powder and crystal solution of CH3NH3PbI3 were further characterized using various experimental techniques such as x-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), UV⬜visible absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A standard perovskite sensitized solar cell (PSSC) has been fabricated using CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite and polyethylene oxide (PEO) solid polymer electrolyte.

Carrier Transport Improvement of CH3NH3PbI3 Film by Methylamine Gas Treatment.

Recently, perovskite solar cells with high photovoltaic performance based on methylammonium lead halide have attracted great interest due to the superior physical properties of the perovskite optical absorption layer. Here, we investigate the interface carrier transport properties of CH3NH3PbI3 film by applying the reported treatment with methylamine gas, to reveal the possible mechanism of high performance perovskite-sensitized solar cell results. It is found that the crystal structure and surface morphology are effectively improved by the room-temperature repair of methylamine atmosphere. The preferred 110 orientation results in a slightly larger band gap, which may contribute to the better energy level matching and carrier transport. Further investigations on relaxation time and electron mobility confirm the significantly enhanced carrier diffusion length, revealing the important role of optimized crystallization on charge transport properties, which may be helpful to seek high-powered perovskite solar cells by optimizing the perovskite synthetic process.

Stable Tin Chloride Perovskite Sensitized Silver Doped Titania Nanosticks Photoanode Solar Cells with Different Hole Transport Materials

Perovskite sensitized solar cells (PSSCs) have recently been catapulted to the cutting edge of thin-film photovoltaic research and development because of their promise for higher power conversion efficiencies and ease of fabrication. In this work, an attempt has been made to fabricate CH3NH3SnCl3 perovskite sensitized silver doped titania nanosticks photoanode solar cells with an efficient hole transport material (HTM), spiro-MeOTAD, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (PTTA) and CuI and attained light to electricity power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.46, 7.89 and 6.05 % respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination of 100 mW/cm2 intensity. As well, PSSCs made with redox couple electrolytes namely quasi-solid state electrolyte (QSSE) and ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte exhibited the PCE of 4.92 and 3.20 % respectively. A metal oxide (HfO2) layer is coated on the perovskite sensitized photoanode, which could increase the stability of PSSCs. The current density (Jsc)–open circuit voltage (Voc) study shows that PSSCs made with HTMs exhibited better fill factor and PCE. The electron impedance spectroscopy revealed that the electron lifetime (τn), electron mobility (µ) and charge collection efficiency (ηcc)in the PSSCs are in the order spiro-MeOTAD > PTTA > CuI > QSSE > IL. This work expresses that the nature of the HTM is essential for charge recombination and elucidates that finding an optimal HTM for the perovskite solar cell includes controlling the perovskite/HTM interaction.

Tin chloride perovskite-sensitized core/shell photoanode solar cell with spiro-MeOTAD hole transport material for enhanced solar light harvesting

An attempt has been made to fabricate methyl ammonium tin chloride (CH3NH3SnCl3) perovskite-sensitized TiO2 nanostructure photoanode solar cell with hole transport material (HTM) spiro-MeOTAD and graphite-coated counter electrode (CE). The TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs), TiO2 nanoleaves (TNLs), and TNLs with MgO core/shell photoanodes were prepared to fabricate perovskite-sensitized solar cells (PSSCs). The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photovoltaic characteristics of the PSSCs, photocurrent density (J sc), open-circuit voltage (V oc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were determined under illumination of AM 1.5 G. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis was carried out to study the charge transport and lifetime of charge carriers at the photoanode–sensitizer–electrolyte interface of the PSSCs. The PSSC made with CH3NH3SnCl3 perovskite-sensitized TNL–MgO core/shell photoanode and spiro-MeOTAD HTM shows an impressive photovoltaic performance, with J sc = 17.24 mA/cm2, V oc = 800 mV, FF = 73 %, and PCE = 9.98 % under 100 mW/cm2 light intensity. The advent of such simple solution-processed mesoscopic heterojunction solar cells paves the way to realize low-cost and high-efficiency solar cells. By the aid of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, it is revealed that the core/shell structure can increase an interfacial resistance of the photoanode–CH3NH3SnCl3 interface and retard an electron recombination process in the photoanode–sensitizer–HTM interface.

(001) faceted-Ga-TiO2 microtablet synthesis and its organic perovskite sensitized solar cells characterization

Metal doping on the anatase TiO2 produces many effect including narrowing the band gap and creates a mid-gap state for facile carrier transport in the structure. This paper reports the study on the effect of Ga doping on the photoactivity of TiO2 microtablet in the perovskite sensitive solar cell (PSC). It was found that the Ga doping enhances the interfacial characteristic between TiO2 and perovskite layer as well as the carrier transport in the device. The power conversion efficiency of the PSC device can be improved from 0.23 to 2.46% upon the doping of Ga in the TiO2 microtablet system. Detailed preparation process and mechanism of the device performance improvement will be discussed.

Perovskite sensitized solar cell using solid polymer electrolyte

A perovskite sensitized solar cell (PSSC) comprising ethyl ammonium tri-lead iodide (CH3CH2NH3PbI3) and solid polymer electrolyte have been successfully fabricated and reported in this paper. Perovskite was synthesized by direct deposition of equimolar CH3CH2NH3I and PbI2 in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. It was further characterized using various experimental tools like XRD, UV–visible, SEM and EDAX. The fabricated PSSC showed a short circuit current density (Jsc) = 1.16 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.70 V, fill factor (FF) = 0.67 and efficiency (ɳ) = 0.75% at one sun condition. Comparative data between PSSC and dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) are also discussed in this paper.