Size-controlled SiO2 nanoparticles as scaffold layers in thin-film perovskite solar cells†
Abstract
Perovskite-based solar cells have received much recent research attention for renewable-energy applications because of their high efficiency and long-term stability. Here, we report perovskite solar cells formed using a scaffold layer composed of size-controlled SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). The infiltration of perovskite into the scaffold layer depended strongly on the size of the SiO2 NPs. We investigated the effects of scaffold layers comprised of SiO2 NPs that were 15, 30, 50, 70, and 100 nm in diameter on the properties of perovskite films. The performance of perovskite solar cells based on 50 nm diameter SiO2 NPs exhibited a current density (Jsc) of 16.4 mA cm−2, a open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.05 V, and a power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.45%, which represent a significant improvement compared with perovskite solar cells fabricated using a TiO2 scaffold layer, where Jsc = 17.3 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.94 V, and the PCE was 10.29%.