Issue 11, 2018

Improvements in printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells via thinner spacer layers

Abstract

Printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells based on TiO2/ZrO2/carbon mesoporous scaffolds have a promising future in commercialization due to their stability and ease of large-scale manufacturing, in which the mesoporous ZrO2 (mp-ZrO2) spacer is crucial in decreasing charge carrier recombination. To obtain high-performance devices, 2–3 μm thick mp-ZrO2 is usually needed. However, such thickness leads to an increased loading amount of perovskite material and causes problems such as reproducibility, pollution, and waste. Herein, we provide a universal solution to enhance VOC in printable mesoscopic PSCs with thin mp-ZrO2 layers. By depositing a thin layer of Al2O3 using a spraying pyrolysis method, we successfully retard the recombination between the TiO2 and carbon electrode. We further find the modification could down-shift the conduction band minimum (CBM) and increase the carrier transportation. Finally, we successfully reduce the mp-ZrO2 thickness of devices from 3 μm to 1.2 μm while retaining comparable device performance. Thanks to thinner ZrO2 layers, the usage of solvent and PbI2 is also reduced, which makes the device both more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. This modification strategy will pave the way to the commercialization of printable mesoscopic PSCs with greener and cheaper processes.

Graphical abstract: Improvements in printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells via thinner spacer layers

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
06 jul 2018
Accepted
14 sep 2018
First published
19 sep 2018

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2018,2, 2412-2418

Improvements in printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells via thinner spacer layers

Q. Wang, S. Liu, Y. Ming, Y. Guan, D. Li, C. Zhang, Z. Wang, Y. Rong, Y. Hu and H. Han, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2018, 2, 2412 DOI: 10.1039/C8SE00332G

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