Inorganic and Lead-Free AgBiI₄ Rudorffite for Stable Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskites have recently realized significant development. However, the toxicity of lead (Pb) and the poor stability might eventually hamper the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we present an environment friendly and stable all inorganic rudorffite AgBiI4 as solar absorber by solution-based synthesis of thin-films. AgBiI4 films fabricated by 0.6 M solution and annealed at 150 °C show dense grains and high surface coverage. Furthermore, the AgBiI4 films exhibit greater thermal stability and photostability than CH3NH3PbI3. Ultimately, by judiciously choosing the hole transport material with appropriate energy level, the solar cell device demonstrates high carrier extraction efficiency and achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.1% under standard 1 sun (AM 1.5). The devices also show excellent long-term air stability and still maintain 96% of its initial PCE even after 1000h at relative humidity of 26%. This work highlights new directions for further exploration of Pb-free and stable solar cells.

Potential Substitutes for Replacement of Lead in Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review

“…The fabricated PSC exhibited 2.1% efficiency. The devices displayed long‐term stability and maintained 96% of initial SPCE even after 100 h at relative humidity of 26% . Lead‐free copper halide perovskite Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 have been reported with a 0D structure exhibiting a blue emission (≈445 nm) with a high quantum yield of 90 and 60% for single crystals and thin films.…”

Perovskite Solar Cells: Can We Go Organic‐Free, Lead‐Free, and Dopant‐Free?

“…This can be due to the efficient charge transport, influenced by BiI 3 , at the interface of AgBi 2 I 7 and dopant free HTL (importance of HTL in SBH solar cells will be discussed dopant‐free HTL section) . Similar to AgBi 2 I 7 , Ag 2 BiI 5 , and AgBiI 4 based solar cells have also exhibited PCE of ≈2%, while Ag 3 BiI 6 based cells have demonstrated PCE of ≈4% (with PTAA HTL) . Very recently, Pai et al doped sulfur into SBH materials to reduce the bandgap and found upshift of valence band edge by 0.1–0.3 eV.…”

The Impact of Cesium and Antimony Alloying on the Photovoltaic Properties of Silver Bismuth Iodide Compounds

“…[15,16] According to the literature, one of the most important bismuth-based compounds is silver bismuth iodide (SBI) rudorffites with the general formula of A a B b X x (A ¼ Ag, Cu; Bi ¼ Bi, Sb; X ¼ I, Br, and x ¼ a þ 2b). [17][18][19] They exhibit direct bandgap energies below 2 eV, and optoelectronic properties of these compounds are favorable for application in solar cells. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] To the best of our knowledge, there is little literature about SBI-based solar cells.…”

“…[17][18][19] They exhibit direct bandgap energies below 2 eV, and optoelectronic properties of these compounds are favorable for application in solar cells. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] To the best of our knowledge, there is little literature about SBI-based solar cells. For the first time in 2016, Kim et al used a solution-based method to prepare solar cells based on AgBi 2 I 7 .…”