Performance enhancement of low temperature processed tin oxide as an electron transport layer for perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions

Abstract

Most of the SnO 2-based perovskite cells (PSC) are either fabricated in a controlled environment or have low energy conversion efficiencies. In this research, we used a low-temperature processed SnO 2 as an electron transport layer (ETL) and fabricated planar PSC via a spin coating technique under ambient condition. By adjusting the concentration of SnO 2 precursor solution, the efficiency of PSC was enhanced from 4% to 9%. Furthermore, different weight ratios of 3D-structured crumpled graphene oxide (CGO), which was synthesized using a one-step furnace aerosol reactor, were introduced into the SnO 2 ETL to improve the PSC performance. The 0.25% CGO ratio resulted in a cell with highest J sc of 21 mA/cm 2 and the efficiency of 11%. Photoluminescence measurements also showed the benefit of doping SnO 2 layer with CGO in charge transfer in the ETL and from the perovskite layer suppressing carrier recombination. The SnO 2-based ETL with the presence of CGO can be a promising ETL for low-cost planar PSCs as well as tandem cells, fabricated under ambient condition.

Stability study of large‐area perovskite solar cells fabricated with copper as low‐cost metal contact

“…In addition, obtaining good stability in the real-life working conditions of PSCs is a challenging task. [12][13][14] The stability problem appears because of thermal degradation at elevated temperatures, ultraviolet (UV) light-induced degradation, and moisture degradations. [15][16][17] Some studies have addressed these degradation problems without affecting the device performance.…”

“…Despite the significant increase in PCE over small areas, reproducing them on large areas is still a major challenge. In addition, obtaining good stability in the real‐life working conditions of PSCs is a challenging task 12‐14 . The stability problem appears because of thermal degradation at elevated temperatures, ultraviolet (UV) light‐induced degradation, and moisture degradations 15‐17 .…”

Enhancement of the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells via sono‐synthesis of Al‐doped TiO 2 as the electron transport layer

“…As the quality and physicochemical properties of the ETL layer in PSC remarkably affect the photovoltaic performance of PSCs, many studies have been performed on this layer in PSC. Up to now, many n-type semiconductors such as titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), [16][17][18] tin oxide (SnO 2 ), [19][20][21] zinc oxide (ZnO), 22,23 zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ), 24,25 and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) 26,27 have been employed as electron transport materials for enhancing of the PSCs efficiency. TiO 2 is an appropriate selection among these semiconductors due to its high chemical stability, low cost, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and high charge transfer capability.…”

Planar perovskite solar cells: Plasmonic nanoparticles‐modified ZnO as an electron transport layer for enhancing the device performance and stability at ambient conditions

“…due to its tunable electronic property, environmentally friendly nature and cost-effectiveness. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Traditional TiO 2 has been widely employed for PSCs, resulting in good device efficiencies. Nevertheless, TiO 2 ETL frequently requires high-temperature sintering operations during the coating process.…”

“…and binary oxides (ZnTaO 3, ZnSnO 3 , PbTiO 3 , etc.) due to its tunable electronic property, environmentally friendly nature and cost‐effectiveness 8‐18 . Traditional TiO 2 has been widely employed for PSCs, resulting in good device efficiencies.…”