Interface Engineering Enhances the Photovoltaic Performance of Wide Bandgap FAPbBr₃ Perovskite for Application in Low‐Light Environments

Abstract

Underwater solar cells (UWSCs) provide an ideal alternative to the energy supply for long‐endurance autonomous underwater vehicles. However, different from conventional solar cells situated on land or above water, UWSCs give preference to use wide bandgap semiconductors (≥1.8 eV) as light absorber to match underwater solar spectra. Among wide bandgap semiconductors, FAPbBr3 perovskite is under prime consideration owing to its matching optical bandgap (≈2.3 eV), outstanding photoelectric properties, easier processability, etc. Unfortunately, for FAPbBr3 solar cells, substantial interface defects greatly limit the charge carrier extraction efficiency, thus limiting the device performance, especially in underwater low‐light environments. This study employs a molecular self‐assembly strategy to effectively eliminate the interfacial defects. As a result, a great improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 6.44% to 7.49% is obtained, which is among the best efficiency reported for inverted FAPbBr3 solar cells up to date. Besides, a champion PCE of 30% is obtained under 520 nm monochromatic light irradiation (4.8 mW cm−2). These results demonstrate that FAPbBr3 solar cells present a tremendously promising application in UWSCs.

Flexible, Transparent, and Bifacial Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Using the Wide-Band Gap FAPbBr3 Perovskite Absorber

“…Another notable characteristic of PSCs is their remarkable band gap tunability, which can be achieved through composition engineering. − The incorporation of bromide and chloride into the perovskite composition allows for the creation of highly transparent perovskites with band gaps as high as 2.39 eV . Furthermore, PSCs exhibit excellent performance in the blue light region, making them well suited as light harvesters for diffused sunlight on cloudy days and low-intensity indoor lighting during nights. − This, combined with flexibility, provides an easy installation option to seamlessly integrate PVs into surfaces such as building facades, windows and walls, sensors, electric vehicles, wearable devices, and smart displays, and they act as replacements for conventional energy sources. ,,− …”