Conspectus
Perovskite
solar cells (PSCs) have, in recent years, become one
of the most in-depth photovoltaic materials in many different disciplines
due to their long-range charge carrier diffusion lengths, strong light
absorption, easy tuning of the band gaps, low defect density, and
solution processability. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of
single-junction PSCs has reached a certified value of 25.5%, which
has caught up with or even surpassed traditional photovoltaic technologies,
such as silicon (Si) solar cells, thin film solar cell, etc. In addition
to the performance of PSCs comparable to traditional photovoltaic
technology, its biggest feature is that it can be prepared by a solution
method. The preparation process of the solution method simplify the
film preparation process and greatly reduce the preparation cost.
In addition, the solution method provides a favorable option for the
energy supply of flexible wearable devices in the future.
At
present, the preparation of PSCs mainly uses organic molecular
solvents, including N,N-dimethylformamide
(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N-methylpyrrolidone
(NMP), and their mixed solvents. However, most of these commonly used
organic solvents are unsafe and are likely to cause water and soil
pollution, harm to the human body, and safety accidents. In addition,
most solvents have a high coordination number, which limits the crystallization
of perovskite. Furthermore, high-quality perovskite films require
the introduction of a large amount of high boiling point, polar and
aprotic antisolvents to assist crystallization, such as chlorobenzene,
ether, and ethyl acetate. In addition to the toxicological problems
of the antisolvent, the technology has a relatively narrow operating
time window, relatively high operating environment requirements, and
relatively low repeatability, which greatly limits the large-scale
production of PSCs. Therefore, It is very necessary to develop a new
solvent engineering technology for PSCs, which is green and pollution-free,
is a simple process, and has high efficiency, long-term stability,
and low cost. Recently, we have developed a series of ionic liquids,
including MAAc, MAFa, BAAc, etc., which can be used as solvents to
prepare efficient and stable PSCs. It allows the production of smooth
and continuous polycrystalline perovskite thin films in ambient air
through a simple spin coating method
In this Account, we started
with the discovery of ionic liquids
as solvents to PSCs. We have proposed new strategies for improving
and enhancing ionic liquid-based PSCs, including interface engineering,
solvent engineering, and additive engineering. Furthermore, the stable
and efficient mechanism of ionic liquid-based perovskite solar cells
has been revealed. In view of the designable characteristics of ionic
liquids, some functional ionic liquids have been designed and applied
to different systems of halide perovskites, which has important guiding
significance for the development of more functional ionic liquids
for PSCs. Finally, the challe...