Photonically Cured Solution-Processed SnO₂ Thin Films for High-Efficiency and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells and Minimodules

Abstract

High-throughput fabrication of metal oxide thin films is always a bottleneck for solution-processed perovskite solar cells. Here, we report a rapid photonic curing process, with a well-controlled train of short light pulses, to develop bilayer (colloidal and blocking layer) SnO 2 thin films used as electron transport layers in perovskite ((FA 0.83 MA 0.17 ) 0.95 Cs 0.05 PbI 2.5 Br 0.5 , 1.62 eV band gap) photovoltaic devices (n−i−p architecture) with an optimized efficiency of 21.1% alongside good ambient and operational (MPPT) stability. The strong dependency of the photonic curing pulse parameters on device properties is investigated, and we established a corroboration between the chemical properties of the as-cured SnO 2 and the optoelectronic performance of the devices and the interface quality. Furthermore, we show that the futile removal of the chloride species in photonically cured SnO 2 is an added advantage against the thermally annealed ones regarding charge transport and lower interfacial recombination. Furthermore, the process is impeccably scaled up to demonstrate a series-connected minimodule (16 cm 2 ) with 18.2% efficiency.

Recent Advances in the Photonic Curing of the Hole Transport Layer, the Electron Transport Layer, and the Perovskite Layers to Improve the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Figure 4f shows the OCVD measurement for photonically annealed devices, which helps to understand the relevant changes in interface properties such as the recombination effect and trapping dynamics. We can see, in the light-off state, the high carrier concentration at the oxide-perovskite interface leads to rapid recombination [12], resulting in a faster drop in V oc , which can be observed for 7 ms devices. Improving pulse time and selecting an appropriate ETL can enhance PSC performance.…”

“…This option allows for roll-to-roll manufacturing compatibility and facilitates the comparison of both thermal and PC methods. In addition, low-cost solution methods (solution-based NiOx nanoparticles [12]) can also be employed to prepare efficient NiOx hole contacts. However, their application in flexible solar cells is restricted by the annealing process required at 300-500 °C [13,14].…”