A Facile Way to Improve the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells by Toluene and Diethyl Ether Mixed Anti-Solvent Engineering

Abstract

Solvent engineering is one of the most widely applied preparation methods for the high- quality perovskite films. In this method, the choice of anti-solvent plays a very important role to improve the perovskite crystal quality. Here, we report a facile way to regulate the crystal quality of perovskite film by adjusting the ratio of toluene and diethyl ether in the mixed anti-solvent. Through the combination of characterization and measurements including scanning electron microscopy, the atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and the steady-state photoluminescence spectra, it reveals that the quality of perovskite films is obviously improved when the volume ratio of toluene to diethyl ether in the mixed anti-solvent is 1:1. The optimal device obtains power conversion efficiency of 16.96% with a short-circuit current density of 20.60 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 1.03 V, and a fill factor of 79.96%. At the same time, the device shows negligible current–voltage hysteresis and steady power output. Moreover, the stability of PSCs is significantly enhanced due to the perovskite film quality improvement by adopting 50% toluene mixed anti-solvent.

The Effect of SiGe/PTAA Thin Film Thickness as An Active Layer for Solar Cell Application

“…and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) levels was performed by the PTAA layer with -5.2 eV and -1.7eV, respectively, provide the direct bandgap energy of 3.5eV. The deeper HOMO level of the active layer ensures that no hole could escape to the cathode (AI layer) (Yang et al, 2019). The HOMO-LUMO levels, as shown in Figure 1o, were derived from the literature (Zubair et.…”

Passivation and process engineering approaches of halide perovskite films for high efficiency and stability perovskite solar cells

“…Alternatively, antisolvent treatments can be utilized for the preparation of conformal, improved quality, perovskite films. [341][342][343][344][345][346][347] For example, a simple antisolvent washing treatment using iodine modulation could significantly improve the MAPbI 3 film quality and uniformity. The upgraded antisolvent enhanced the perovskite crystallization and passivated the under-coordinated Pb 2+ ions.…”

“…For example, a volume ratio of 1:1 for toluene and diethyl ether was optimal for the fabrication of PSCs with a maximum PCE of 16.96%, negligible hysteresis and enhanced stability as the low boiling point and volatile diethyl ether solvent readily promoted the growth of perovskite grains. 345 Green, environmentally friendly, solvents have received immense attention to replacing toxic antisolvents used in the fabrication of PSCs. 346,347 In this regard, ethyl acetate (EA) demonstrated the potential to control film morphology in ambient humidity.…”

Advances in Metal Halide Perovskite Film Preparation: The Role of Anti‐Solvent Treatment

“…chose the mixed solvents of toluene (lower polarity and higher boiling point) and diethyl ether (higher polarity and lower boiling point) to treat the perovskite film during the anti‐solvent process. [ 52 ] Due to the low boiling point of diethyl ether, it can accelerate the removal process of the host solvent (GBL/DMSO) in the perovskite precursor and enhance the growth of perovskite grains. Finally, the average PCE increased from 14.18% to 16.02% Table 2 benefiting from the improved quality of perovskite film.…”