Room temperature nanoparticulate interfacial layers for perovskite solar cells via solvothermal synthesis

Abstract

We present a solvothermal synthetic route to produce monodispersed CuO nanoparticles (NPs) in the range of 5-10 nm that can be used as hole selective interfacial layer between indium tin oxide (ITO) and perovskite active layer for p-i-n perovskite solar cells by a spin casting the dispersions at room temperature. The bottom electrode interface modification provided by spherical CuO-NPs at room temperature promotes the formation of high quality perovskite photoactive layers with large crystal size and strong optical absorption. Furthermore, it is shown that the nanoparticulate nature of the CuO hole transporting interfacial layer can be used to improve light manipulation within perovskite solar cell device structure. The corresponding p-i-n CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells show high Voc values of 1.09 V, which is significantly higher compared to the Voc values obtained with conventional PEDOT:PSS hole selective contact based perovskite solar cells.

Synthesis of Highly Monodisperse Cu2O Nanocrystals and Their Applications as Hole‐Transporting Layers in Solution‐Processed Light‐Emitting Diodes

“…Various synthetic methods, including thermal decomposition, solvothermal, sonochemistry and post oxidation of colloidal Cu nanocrystals, were developed to prepare colloidal Cu x O particles. Among them, thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors in the presence of high‐boiling‐point ligand solvents is an extensively used method due to its capability of synthesizing highly crystalline and monodispersed nanocrystals with narrow‐size distribution .…”

“…[15][16][17] The nanocrystal routec onsists of directly depositing colloidal Cu x O particles into thin films. [18,19] The nanocrystal route decouples crystallization of oxidesf rom film-formation process, which offersm ore freedom in removing by-products, regulating surface properties and controlling film-formation temperature. [20,21] Various synthetic methods, including thermald ecomposition, [22,23] solvothermal, [18] sonochemistry [24] and post oxidation of colloidal Cu nanocrystals, [25] were developed to prepare col-loidalC u x Op articles.…”

Low‐Temperature Combustion Synthesis of a Spinel NiCo2O4 Hole Transport Layer for Perovskite Photovoltaics

“…Concretely, for the reversed sweep the V oc was increased from 0.90 to 0.99 V and the FF from 53.0% to 79 (not shown here) exhibiting high leakage currents due to limitations of not fully covered ITO. [22] The impact of the NiCo 2 O 4 HTL thickness on the ITO/ NiCo 2 O 4 -NPs/perovskite device performance was evaluated by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy (see Figure 5b). It is noticed that for 15 nm thick NiCo 2 O 4 film the overall efficiency is increased comparing to thicker layers due to higher transmittance as well as to a better charge collection, as it will be shown below.…”

“…Specifically, as shown in Figure S5 (Supporting Information) the combustion synthesized NiCo 2 O 4 -HTL delivers a ≈14.5% average PCE (16 devices) with 15.5% best performing device, while CuO-HTL based solar cells give a ≈12.5% average PCE (16 devices) with 15.3% best performing device. [22] …”

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architecture structure, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):

poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is commonly used as a hole transport layer (HTL). [17,18] Recently, p-type metal oxides and complexes, such as NiO, V 2 O 5 , CuO, CuSCN, CuPc, and ZnPc,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25] have been incorporated as HTLs into PVSCs. [11][12][13][14][15][16] On the other hand, the hydroscopicity and inhomogeneous electrical properties might limit its performance as a HTL for advanced optoelectronic applications.

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