Advances in the research of carbon electrodes for perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were first proposed in 2009. They have the advantages of low cost, a simple manufacturing process and excellent photoelectric performance. PSC electrodes are mainly made from precious metals such as gold and silver. Still, the cost of precious metals is high and they react with the other components of the PSCs, resulting in the poor stability of the photovoltaic device. Using carbon as an electrode material can both reduce the cost and significantly improve the stability of the photovoltaic device. However, the poor interface contact between the carbon electrode and perovskite and carbon electrode resistance results in poor photovoltaic device photoelectric performance. Finding a way to successfully utilize carbon as an alternative electrode material is a key step toward moving PSCs from the laboratory to industrialization. This paper reviews the application of carbon black, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and composite carbon electrode in PSCs, focusing on progress in the research of doping, structure, interface modification and the production process.