Perovskite solar cells for roll-to-roll fabrication

Abstract

Perovskite solar cell (PSCs) is considered as the game changer in emerging photovoltaics technology. The highest certified efficiency is 22% with high temperature processed (∼500°C) TiO 2 based electron transport layer (ETL). High temperature process is a rudimentary hindrance towards roll-to-roll processing of PSCs on flexible substrates. Low temperature solution process (<150°C) ZnO based ETL is one of the most promising candidate for large scale roll-to-roll fabrication of cells as it has nearly identical electron affinity (4.2 eV) of TiO 2. The mixed organic perovskite (MA 0.6 FA 0.4 PbI 3) devices with Al doped ZnO (AZO) ETL demonstrate average cell efficiency over 16%, which is the highest ever reported efficiency for this device configuration. The energy level alignment and related interfacial charge transport dynamics at the interface of ZnO and perovskite films and the adjacent charge transport layers are investigated. Significantly improved device stability, hysteresis free device photocurrent have been observed in MA 0.6 FA 0.4 PbI 3 cells. A systematic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, frequency dependent capacitance spectra, surface morphology and topography characterization have been conducted to understand the role of interfacial electronic properties between perovskite and neighbouring layers in perovskite device. A standardized degradation study, interfacial electronic property and capacitive spectra analysis of aged device, have been measured to understand the enhanced device stability in mixed MA 0.6 FA 0.4 PbI 3 cells. Slow perovskite material decomposition rate and augmented device lifetime with AZO based devices have been found to be correlated with the more hydrophobic and acidic nature of AZO surface compared to pristine ZnO film.

Influence of Chloride/Iodide Ratio in MAPbI3-xClx Perovskite Solar Devices: Case of Low Temperature Processable AZO Sub-Layer

“…Most studies involving AZO concern PIN structures, where AZO is the top layer [18,55]. Nevertheless, a few studies start describing photovoltaic devices with AZO as a bottom layer as well with performance levels up to 12% or 16% using respectively mono or multi-cation perovskites [22,23,56]. It should be also mentioned that thick AZO layers have already been directly used as transparent electrode, generally without electron transport layer thus showing that it can act as both electrode and ETL layers all-in-one [20].…”

Low temperature processed efficient and stable perovskite solar cell

“…The compact TiO2 layer as ETL is used in most of the highly efficient PSCs which need a high temperature sintering process of ~500 0 C [7,11,30,43,76]. One of the fundamental barriers to mass production of PSCs on flexible substrates by roll-to-roll process is the high temperature (~500 ⁰C) processing of TiO2 [28,69]. The optimum temperature range for the flexible substrate is within 100-150 0 C [39].…”