Issue 15, 2022

Enhanced photovoltaic output of bifacial perovskite solar cells via tailoring photoelectric balance in rear window layers with 1T-WS2 nanosheet engineering

Abstract

The development of high-quality rear window layers (RWLs) with excellent photoelectric properties is key to achieving a high photovoltaic (PV) output from bifacial perovskite solar cells (b-PSCs). Herein, we propose a novel strategy to improve the photoelectric balance of RWLs by introducing 1T-phase tungsten disulfide (1T-WS2) nanosheets with metallic properties into a traditional organic hole-transporting layer (HTL) to create an organic–inorganic hybrid model. The mechanisms responsible for the synergistic improvement in the photoelectric and physical properties of the hybrid system, particularly the light-trapping capability, interface properties, charge dynamics, and PV parameters of the b-PSCs, are discussed in depth. The decrease in the thickness of the hybrid HTL due to the introduction of 1T-WS2 not only enhances the optical transmittance, but also accelerates hole transfer in the improved system to a certain extent. Moreover, the decrease in the surface potential of the hybrid HTL driven by 1T-WS2 improves the work function and brings the valence band closer to that of the perovskite. This energy-level alignment caused by Fermi level reduction effectively promotes hole extraction/transfer/collection and suppresses interface recombination, thus improving the PV parameters of devices. Owing to the fact that 1T-WS2 doping synchronously enhances the light-harvesting capability and charge behavior of the device, the obtained maximum efficiencies of the optimized hybrid b-PSC under front and rear illuminations are 19.87 and 15.48%, respectively, which are superior to those of conventional organic b-PSCs. Ultimately, the 1T-WS2-doped RWL created in this work effectively alleviates the PV degradation caused by water erosion and photo-thermal degradation of b-PSCs during environmental testing. The corresponding unencapsulated devices exhibit excellent irradiation/operational stability. This work provides important insights into the improvement in the photoelectric balance of RWLs in bifacial and tandem devices, and establishes a foundation for the widespread application of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides in high-efficiency PV devices.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced photovoltaic output of bifacial perovskite solar cells via tailoring photoelectric balance in rear window layers with 1T-WS2 nanosheet engineering

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
26 ኤፕሪ 2022
Accepted
10 ጁን 2022
First published
12 ጁን 2022

Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 2061-2071

Enhanced photovoltaic output of bifacial perovskite solar cells via tailoring photoelectric balance in rear window layers with 1T-WS2 nanosheet engineering

L. Fan, W. Lü, W. Hu, D. Han, S. Yang, D. Wang, Z. Mai, F. Wang, H. Liu, J. Yang and L. Yang, Mater. Chem. Front., 2022, 6, 2061 DOI: 10.1039/D2QM00366J

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