Tin-based Perovskite Solar Cells Research Articles

Efficient Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cell with a Cesium Acetate Pre-buried PEDOT:PSS Hole Transport Layer.

The strong Lewis acid tin halide leads to an excessively fast crystallization rate, resulting in more defects in the film and degraded device performance. In this work, a cesium acetate (CsAc) pre-buried poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole transport layer acts as nucleation points during the crystallization of tin-based perovskite, which can induce preferential orientation growth of crystals and increase the grain size to improve the quality of crystallization. The addition of CsAc not only can increase the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS but also can improve the wettability of the perovskite precursor solution to enhance the interface contact between the hole transport layer and perovskite layer. Because of the incorporation of CsAc in PEDOT:PSS, the average short-circuit current density increases from 23.80 to 27.60 mA cm-2. Furthermore, a power conversion efficiency of 10.99% is achieved for a tin-based perovskite solar cell with CsAc-doped PEDOT:PSS as the hole transport layer.

Recent progress in all-inorganic tin-based perovskite solar cells: a review

Recent progress in all-inorganic tin-based perovskite solar cells: a review

Strategies for constructing high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells

Herein, we present different approaches through which tin-based perovskite solar cells can potentially achieve prolonged stability under various environmental conditions and high efficiency, paving the way for future commercialization.

A First-Principles Study of Organic Lewis Bases for Passivating Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin-based Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are potential light absorbers for solar cell applications since it is less toxic compared to commonly used lead-based alternatives. Maintaining the less stable Sn2+ state...

Correction: Rational design and recent advancements of additives engineering in ASnI3 tin-based perovskite solar cells: insights from experiments and computational

Correction for ‘Rational design and recent advancements of additives engineering in ASnI3 tin-based perovskite solar cells: insights from experiments and computational’ by Maria Ulfa et al., Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2023, 7, 5198–5223, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SE00571B.

Tailoring the buried interface with self-assembled 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid for defect reduction and improved performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells

By using self-assembled molecules to modulate the buried interface between the PEDOT:PSS and the tin-based perovskite film, the efficiency and stability of tin-based perovskite solar cells can be effectively enhanced.

Suppression of deep-level traps via semicarbazide hydrochloride additives for high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells

Tin perovskites with exemplary optoelectronic properties offer potential application in lead-free perovskite solar cells. However, Sn vacancies and undercoordinated Sn ions on the tin perovskite surfaces can create deep-level traps, leading to non-radiative recombination and absorption of nucleophilic O2 molecules, impeding further device efficiency and stability. Here, in this study, a new additive of semicarbazide hydrochloride (SEM-HCl) with a N–C=O functional group was introduced into the perovskite precursor to fabricate high-quality films with a low concentration of deep-level trap densities. This, in turn, serves to prevent undesirable interaction between photogenerated carriers and adsorbed oxygen molecules in the device’s operational environment, ultimately reducing the proliferation of superoxide entities. As the result, the SEM-HCl-derived devices show a peak efficiency of 10.9% with improved device stability. These unencapsulated devices maintain almost 100% of their initial efficiencies after working for 100 h under continuous AM1.5 illumination conditions.Graphical

Bio-Inspired Engineering of Anti-Aging Natural Cyanidin toward Air-Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Bio-Inspired Engineering of Anti-Aging Natural Cyanidin toward Air-Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Efficient Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Precisely Synthesized Single-Isomer Fullerene Bisadducts with Regulated Molecular Packing.

Designing and synthesizing fullerene bisadducts with a higher-lying conduction band minimum is promising to further improve the device performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). However, the commonly obtained fullerene bisadduct products are isomeric mixtures and require complicated separation. Moreover, the isomeric mixtures are prone to resulting in energy alignment disorders, interfacial charge loss, and limited device performance improvement. Herein, we synthesized single-isomer C60- and C70-based diethylmalonate functionalized bisadducts (C60BB and C70BB) by utilizing the steric-hindrance-assisted strategy and determined all molecular structures involved by single crystal diffraction. Meanwhile, we found that the different solvents used for processing the fullerene bisadducts can effectively regulate the molecular packing in their films. The dense and amorphous fullerene bisadduct films prepared by using anisole exhibited the highest electron mobility. Finally, C60BB- and C70BB-based TPSCs showed impressive efficiencies up to 14.51 and 14.28%, respectively. These devices also exhibited excellent long-term stability. This work highlights the importance of developing strategies to synthesize single-isomer fullerene bisadducts and regulate their molecular packing to improve TPSCs' performance.

Mitigating Surface Defects in Tin-Based Perovskite Films with α-Tocopherol for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance.

Surface defects in tin-based perovskite films disrupt the periodic arrangement of atoms in crystals, making surface atoms more susceptible to interactions with water and oxygen molecules in the surrounding environment. The diffusion of oxygen ions into the perovskite interior leads to the formation of severe bulk defects, which compromises the performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). As a result, surface defects are recognized as the primary source of degradation and require special attention. In this study, α-Tocopherol (also known as vitamin E) into tin-based perovskite films is introduced. Experimental results show that because of its larger volume, α-Tocopherol does not enter the perovskite lattice. Instead, it forms van der Waals and hydrogen bond interactions with the formamidine ion (FA+) and the [SnI6]4- octahedron at the perovskite terminals. Through α-Tocopherol passivation, both surface and interior oxidation of the perovskite are significantly suppressed as α-Tocopherol firmly embeds itself on the perovskite surface. Density functional theory analysis confirms the inhibition of I─Sn antisite defects (ISn) and Sn interstitial defects (Sni), which possess deep trap states within the bandgap. Ultimately, it is demonstrated that α-Tocopherol enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 9.19% to 13.14% and prolongs the lifetime of tin-based PSCs to over 50 days.

Effective of l-tyrosine hydrochloride on the photovoltaic performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells by suppressing tin (II) oxidation

Additive engineering has been widely concerned to improve the photovoltaic performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, the tin-based perovskite precursor solution is modified with L-Tyrosine hydrochloride (LTHCl). The results demonstrate that the defect state density of tin-based perovskite films is reduced by improving their morphology and crystallinity. The electrical properties of tin-based perovskite film are enhanced by suppressing the Sn2+ oxidation. As a result, the open-circuit voltage of tin-based PSCs is increased from 0.53 V to 0.59 V. The best power conversion efficiency of the tin-based PSC with LTHCl is up to 8.63 %, which is higher than that of the pristine device (7.65 %). Meanwhile, the tin-based PSC with LTHCl retains 84 % of its initial efficiency after over 1140 h in a nitrogen glove box.

Design of a simple bifunctional system as a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) for inverted tin-based perovskite solar cells

In this work, we functionalized the ITO substrates with a series of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules to improve the hole extraction ability of the electrodes and retard the charge recombination with the devices in an inverted planar p-i-n configuration. Organic molecules with simple structures, namely 4-aminobenzoic acid (AB), 4-(2-aminomethyl)benzoic acid (AM), 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzoic acid (AE), and 4-nitrobenzoic acid (NB) were chosen to functionalize the ITO substrates via simple immersion method to form hole-selective SAM on ITO. The TPSCs were fabricated according to a two-step sequential deposition approach using a co-solvent system, and the AB device was found to exhibit an attractive efficiency of power conversion (PCE) of 7.6 % while the other SAM-based devices showed poorer performance. The AB device also displayed impressive long-term storage stability by maintaining about 80 % of its initial efficiency for over 3500 h without encapsulation, in addition to a long-term (6 h) light-soaking stability, which is superior to the PEDOT: PSS-based device in ambient conditions. The SAM/perovskite interfacial characteristics were studied using UPS, EIS, and TCSPC to understand the energy levels, charge recombination, and hole-extraction nature, respectively, and to support the outstanding performance and stability of the AB device.

Design and numerical modeling of environmentally compatible HTL-free organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells

Environment-friendly tin-based perovskite solar cells have gained much research interest because of the non-toxic nature of tin. The broader visible absorption spectrum of methylammonium tin iodide and smaller band-gap value of 1.3 eV have made methylammonium tin iodide viable to be used as an absorber layer in place of methylammonium lead iodide having toxic lead as its central element. Lead being water soluble is hazardous for the environment and human health, when a panel breaks or gets exposed to moisture. In this study, hole transport layer (HTL) free and lead-free, tin-based perovskite solar cell with layered structure as Glass/TCO/WS2/CH3NH3SnI3/back-contact, and its variant is proposed and investigated. To realize an optimum set of performance parameters, extensive investigations are carried out by considering two variants of the proposed design viz. lead-free absorber PSC (LF-PSC) and lead-free absorber optimized PSC (LFO-PSC). The impact of varying defect density and position of defects in bulk and at the interface on the performance of PSC is investigated and optimized. Changing defect density of the absorber layer shows a direct influence on diffusion length and the lifetime of charge carriers. Performance evaluation parameters of the LFO-PSC obtained in this study are Voc= 1.024 V, Jsc= 33.33 mA/cm2, FF= 80.13%, PCE= 27.33%. Higher efficiency is attributed to the presence of a single WS2/MASnI3 interface and therefore reduced recombination of charge carriers. PCE of optimized lead-free absorber PSC has been reported to be 8.9% higher than its basic variant i.e. LF-PSC design. The influence of defect levels, back reflecting coating and metal work function of back contact on the performance of PSC is investigated. Recombination curves are also studied to understand the impact of defects on the proposed PSC structure.

Modelling of Germanium-Based Perovskite Solar Cell for Different Hole Transport Materials and Defect Density

The performance of four distinct materials (organic and inorganic) was simulated and analyzed as hole transport layer (HTL) in the design of germanium (Ge)-based Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC). A 1-dimensional numerical software (SCAPS 1-D) has been applied to simulate the HTL candidates: spiro-OMeTAD, PTAA, nickel oxide (NiO), and copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN), with tin (IV) dioxide (SnO2) as the electron transport layer (ETL). The thickness of the methylammonium germanium iodide (CH3NH3GeI3) absorber was varied from 300 nm to 1100 nm, and the highest simulated power conversion efficiency was achieved at a thickness of 800 nm for all HTL candidates. It was observed that the inorganic CuSCN outperformed its counterparts with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.38%. The effect of the perovskite absorber’s defect density was investigated, and ultimately, it was demonstrated that this value is disproportionately related to the PCE. A reduction of nearly 98% in PCE was recorded when the defect density increased from 1x1014 cm-3 to 1x1020 cm-3. Additionally, for a constant ETL thickness of 80 nm, it was revealed that the PCE would decrease slightly, ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%, with an increase in HTL thickness from 50 nm to 300 nm. Comparing the PCE of our current work with published reports further justifies its competitiveness. Full Text: PDF References W.R. Becquerel, "Becquerel Photovoltaic Effect in Binary Compounds", J. Chem. Phys. 32, 1505 (1960). CrossRef A. Kojima, K. Teshima, Y. Shirai, T. Miyasaka, "Organometal Halide Perovskites as Visible-Light Sensitizers for Photovoltaic Cells", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 6050 (2009). CrossRef M.M. Salah, K.M. Hassan, M. Abouelatta, A. Shaker, "A comparative study of different ETMs in perovskite solar cell with inorganic copper iodide as HTM", Optik 178, 958 (2019). CrossRef S. Rai, B. Pandey, A. Garg, D. Dwivedi, "Hole transporting layer optimization for an efficient lead-free double perovskite solar cell by numerical simulation", Opt. Mater, 121, 111645 (2021). CrossRef H. Liangsheng, Z. Min, S. Yubao, M. Xinxia, W. Jiang, Z. Qunzhi, F, Zaiguo, L. Yihao, H. Guoyu, L. Tong, "Tin-based perovskite solar cells: Further improve the performance of the electron transport layer-free structure by device simulation", Sol. Energy, 230, 345 (2021). CrossRef K. Fatema, M. Arefin, "Enhancing the efficiency of Pb-based and Sn-based perovskite solar cell by applying different ETL and HTL using SCAPS-ID", Opt. Mater. 125, 112036 (2022). CrossRef P. Patel, "Device simulation of highly efficient eco-friendly CH3NH3SnI3 perovskite solar cell", Sci. Rep., 11, 3082 (2021). CrossRef P. Roy, Y. Raoui, A. Khare, "Design and simulation of efficient tin based perovskite solar cells through optimization of selective layers: Theoretical insights", Opt. Mater., 125, 112057 (2022). CrossRef A.I. Azmi, M.Y. Mohd Noor, M.H.I. Ibrahim, F. Ahmad, M.H. Ibrahim, "A Numerical Simulation of Transport Layer Thickness Effect in Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cell", JJEE, 8, 355 (2022). CrossRef A.A. Kanoun, M.B. Kanoun, A.E. Merad, S. Goumri-Said, "Toward development of high-performance perovskite solar cells based on CH3NH3GeI3 using computational approach", Sol. Energy, 182, 237 (2019). CrossRef A. Hima, N. Lakhdar, "Enhancement of efficiency and stability of CH3NH3GeI3 solar cells with CuSbS2", Opt. Mater., 99, 109607 (2020). CrossRef S.T. Jan, M. Noman, "Influence of layer thickness, defect density, doping concentration, interface defects, work function, working temperature and reflecting coating on lead-free perovskite solar cell", Sol. Energy, 237, 29 (2022). CrossRef

PEDOT:PSS doping strategy of improving both interface energy level matching and photocarrier transport in FASnI3 perovskite solar cells

Tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been the focus of substantial research globally as a promising choice for lead-free PSCs. Sn-based PSCs performance, however, the performance of PSCs is still significantly inferior to that of lead-based PSCs. The disparity between the energy band levels of the perovskite absorber and charge transport layers, as well as the chemical instability of Sn halide perovskite crystals, are the primary constraints in this regard. Herein, potassium chloride (KCl) was added to polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) to improve the ability to transport holes and match energy levels. The formamidinium tin triiodide based PSCs constructed on KCl-doped PEDOT:PSS has a 5.9 % power conversion efficacy with a low hysteresis, which is comparatively higher than of the control devices (4.3 %). The improvement in photovoltaic performance has been predominantly attributed to two effects, specifically; PEDOT: PSS conductivity and hole extraction, both of which improved following KCl doping. More intriguingly, the modified device exhibit increased open-circuit voltage due to the downshift of PEDOT:PSS energy level by KCl doping. The composite hole transport layer strategy described in this paper provides a means for energy level adjustment and charge transport to enhance the performance of Sn-based PSCs.

Involving Hydroxyl-Rich d-Glucamine to Address Hole Extraction Interfacial Issues toward Efficient and Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Involving Hydroxyl-Rich <scp>d</scp>-Glucamine to Address Hole Extraction Interfacial Issues toward Efficient and Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Inhibition of Sn2+ Oxidation in FASnI3 Perovskite Precursor Solution and Enhanced Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells by Reductive Additive.

Tin-based halide perovskite solar cells (Sn-PSCs) have attracted a progressive amount of attention as a potential alternative to lead-based PSCs (Pb-PSCs). Sn-perovskite films are fabricated by a solution process spin-coating technique. However, the efficiency of these devices varies significantly with the different batches of precursor solution due to the poor chemical stability of SnI2-DMSO and the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+. This study investigated the origin of Sn2+ oxidation before film formation, and it was identified that the ionization of SnI2 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) causes the oxidation of free Sn2+ and I- ions. To address these issues, this study introduces the reductive additive 4-fluorophenylhydrazine hydrochloride (4F-PHCl) in the FASnI3 perovskite precursor solution. The hydrazine functional (-NH-NH2) group converted detrimental Sn4+ and I2 defects back to Sn2+ and I- in precursor solution while retaining the properties of the perovskite solution. Furthermore, the addition of 4F-PHCl in the precursor solution effectively slows the crystallization process, enhancing the crystallinity of FASnI3 perovskite films and guaranteeing the Sn2+/I- stoichiometric ratio, ultimately leading to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.86%. The hydrophobic fluorinated benzene ring in 4F-PHCl ensures moisture stability in perovskite films, allowing unencapsulated PSCs to retain over 92% of their initial PCE in an N2-filled glovebox for 130 days. Moreover, the 4F-PHCl-modified encapsulated PSCs showed superior operational stability for 420 h and maintained 95% of their initial PCE for 300 h under maximum power point tracking at 1 sun continuous illumination. This study's findings provide a promising pathway to create a controlled Sn-based perovskite precursor solution for highly reproducible and stable Pb-free Sn-PSCs.

Mutually Tuned Dual Additive Engineering Synergistically Enhances the Photovoltaic Performance of Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

Tin-based perovskite solar cells (T-PSCs) have become the star photovoltaic products in recent years due to their low environmental toxicity and superior photovoltaic performance. However, the easy oxidation of Sn2+ and the energy level mismatch between the perovskite film and charge transport layer limit its efficiency. In order to regulate the microstructure and photoelectric properties of tin-based perovskite films to enhance the efficiency and stability of T-PSCs, guanidinium bromide (GABr) and organic Lewis-based additive methylamine cyanate (MAOCN) are introduced into the FA0.9PEA0.1SnI3-based perovskite precursor. A series of characterizations show that the interactions between additive molecules and perovskite mutually reconcile to improve the photovoltaic performance of T-PSCs. The introduction of GABr can adjust the band gap of the perovskite film and energy level alignment of T-PSCs. They significantly increase the open-circuit voltage (Voc). The MAOCN material can form hydrogen bonds with SnI2 in the precursor, which can inhibit the oxidation of Sn2+ and significantly improve the short-circuit current density (Jsc). The synergistic modulation of the dual additives reduces the trap-state density and improves photovoltaic performance, resulting in an increased champion efficiency of 9.34 for 5.22% of the control PSCs. The unencapsulated T-PSCs with GABr and MAOCN dual additives prepared in the optimized process can retain more than 110% of their initial efficiency after aging for 1750 h in a nitrogen glovebox, but the control PSCs maintain only 50% of their initial efficiency kept in the same conditions. This work provides a new perspective to further improve the efficiency and stability of T-PSCs.

Numerical simulation study on the photovoltaic performance of tin-based perovskite solar cell using CuSCN as a hole transport layer giving 32% theoretical efficiency

Numerical simulation study on the photovoltaic performance of tin-based perovskite solar cell using CuSCN as a hole transport layer giving 32% theoretical efficiency

The Defect Passivation of Tin Halide Perovskites Using a Cesium Iodide Modification.

Tin-based perovskites are promising for realizing lead-free perovskite solar cells; however, there remains a significant challenge to achieving high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells. In particular, the device fill factor was much lower than that of other photovoltaic cells. Therefore, understanding how the fill factor was influenced by device physical mechanisms is meaningful. In this study, we reported a method to improve the device fill factor using a thin cesium iodide layer modification in tin-based perovskite cells. With the thin passivation layer, a high-quality perovskite film with larger crystals and lower charge carrier densities was obtained. As a result, the series resistance of devices was decreased; the shunt resistance of devices was increased; and the non-radiative recombination of devices was suppressed. Consequently, the fill factor, and the device efficiency and stability were greatly enhanced. The champion tin-based perovskite cells showed a fill factor of 63%, an efficiency of 6.1% and excellent stability. Our study reveals that, with a moderate thin layer modification strategy, the long-term stability of tin-based PSCs can be developed.