Lead Iodide Thin Films via rf Sputtering

Abstract

Lead iodide (PbI2) is a precursor for the preparation of the organolead iodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3), which has been used in the fabrication of highly efficient solar cells. In this work, a novel route for the deposition of PbI2 thin films is performed by rf sputtering a target made from compressed PbI2 powder. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the PbI2 films produced were uniform, pinhole-free, polycrystalline, and had low roughness. A small concentration of Pb nanocrystals observed within the films is attributed to differences in the sputtering yield of lead and iodide from the PbI2 target. A dependence of band gap on rf sputtering power was observed, which was associated with a reduction in the concentration of Pb nanocrystals. The PbI2 films were efficiently converted into CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films through the immersion into a methylammonium iodide (MAI) solution, which also converted the remaining Pb nanocrystals into perovskite. This methodology has the potential to forge the way toward a new method for the fabrication of large-area perovskite solar cells.

In Situ and Operando Characterizations of Metal Halide Perovskite and Solar Cells: Insights from Lab-Sized Devices to Upscaling Processes

“…Perovskite thin films have been deposited through a variety of techniques, including spin-coating, − blade-coating, , inkjet printing, , spray, slot-die coating, thermal evaporation, rf-sputtering, − and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), , and atomic layer deposition (ALD). , However, advances on in situ characterizations focused on understanding crystallization and degradation processes from films and devices have been conducted almost exclusively by adopting wet methods, such as spin-coating, slot die, and blade-coating.…”

Tiny spots to light the future: advances in synthesis, properties, and application of perovskite nanocrystals in solar cells

“…Bulk-perovskite thin films can be prepared through a precursor solution containing the lead and A-site cation salts in the desired solvent, and deposited by a large variety of techniques such as spin-coating, 98,107 spray, 108 inkjet printing, 109,110 blade-coating, 111,112 thermal evaporation, 113,114 rfsputtering, [114][115][116][117][118] slot-die coating, 119 chemical vapor deposition, 120 and atomic layer deposition. 121 2D layered perovskite solar cells have been mainly deposited by solution processes, and also involve the preparation of a precursor solution.…”

Sputtered PbI2 with Post‐Processing for Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Therefore, a dry deposition process is essential for high-PCE perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. [12][13][14][15] Several studies have worked on PSCs fabricated using evaporation, [16][17][18] chemical vapor deposition, [19,20] and sputtering [21][22][23][24][25][26] for the dry deposition process. These dry-based processes are considered environmentally friendly compared to solution-based methods, as they eliminate the need for highly toxic organic solvents and can potentially result in cost savings for large-scale production.…”