2023 Joule(IF:46.048):Tian Du&Christoph J. Brabecn and Tian Du from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg led the team to realize a fully printed carbon electrode perovskite solar cell with a hole-transporting double layer with an efficiency of 19.2%
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In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, scientists continue to push the boundaries of possibilities. One frontier in this field is the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which hold the potential to revolutionize the solar energy industry. Recently, a research team led by renowned scholars Tian Du and Christoph J. Brabec from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg made a significant breakthrough in this area, as published in the journal Joule, titled “Efficient, stable, and fully printed carbon-electrode perovskite solar cells enabled by hole-transporting bilayers.” The study showcased the potential of printable carbon electrodes as a low-cost and highly efficient alternative to traditional metal electrodes in perovskite solar cells.
Challenges in Commercializing Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology
The commercialization of perovskite photovoltaic technology has always faced challenges, primarily due to the high cost of thermal evaporation of precious metals, which currently accounts for over 70% of the overall device cost. Therefore, finding a low-cost and printable back electrode material is crucial for making perovskite solar cells commercially viable.
Carbon black has emerged as a promising candidate material due to its abundant Earth resources, low cost, and structural and chemical stability. The manufacturing process of carbon electrodes is compatible with established printing techniques, making it suitable for scale-up production. Additionally, carbon electrodes can address instability issues associated with metal electrodes, such as metal diffusion at interfaces or metal corrosion by halide compounds.
The Role of Hole-Transporting Layers (HTLs)
Significant improvements in the performance of perovskite solar cells can be achieved by regulating hole-transporting layers (HTLs). However, the design rules for HTLs vary depending on the device structure, electrode materials, and HTL thickness. For instance, doping of HTLs plays a crucial role in achieving low-resistance carrier transport and forming quasi-ohmic contacts with metal electrodes.
On the other hand, shallower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels can reduce the energy barrier for carrier injection between HTLs and electrodes. However, this may limit the obtained open-circuit voltage (VOC) due to the fixed quasi-Fermi level.
Solution: Hole-Transporting Bilayer (HTbL) Structure
In their research, the scientists proposed a continuous doctor-blading strategy to deposit two organic semiconductors between the perovskite layer and the carbon electrode, forming a hole-transporting bilayer (HTbL) structure. This structure creates energy levels at the interface, with the outer HTL enhancing the ohmic contact with the carbon electrode, while the inner HTL reduces surface recombination in perovskite. This innovative approach achieved a stable highest conversion efficiency of 19.2%.
The Future of Perovskite Solar Cells
This study highlights the potential of fully printable perovskite solar cells that are environmentally friendly and can be transferred to continuous roll-to-roll production. The conversion efficiency of these carbon electrode perovskite solar cells is comparable to the latest technology levels of spin-coated active layers, marking a significant step towards the commercialization of solar photovoltaic technology.
The development of printable carbon electrode perovskite solar cells represents an innovative breakthrough that continues to push the boundaries of possibilities, making the future of solar energy more promising than ever.
The key tool used by the research team was the QE-R quantum efficiency measurement system from Enlitech. The QE-R system offers several advantages that played a crucial role in the team’s research:
- Reliability and reputation: Enlitech is a manufacturer of quantum efficiency systems that have obtained ISO 17025 calibration and testing certification. The mention of the QE-R system in over 1000 SCI journal papers demonstrates its wide acceptance and trust within the scientific community.
- Compact and versatile: The QE-R system integrates all optical and mechanical components into a compact body, saving laboratory space while maintaining flexibility for testing various types of solar cells.
- Complete glovebox integration: The QE-R system provides a simple and complete glovebox integration solution. This feature is particularly beneficial for sensitive materials like perovskite, which require accurate characterization in a controlled environment.
The research team’s use of Enlitech’s QE-R system highlighted the importance of reliable and accurate tools in scientific research. The system can quickly and accurately provide quantum efficiency, EQE, IPCE, IQE, and spectral response data, playing a critical role in the team’s exploration and optimization of printable carbon electrode perovskite solar cells.
The success of this research not only underscores the potential of perovskite solar cells but also confirms the importance of high-precision efficiency measurement tools like Enlitech’s QE-R system in pushing the boundaries of solar energy technology.
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