ABSTRACT
Inverted flexible perovskite cells (fPSCs) have attracted much attention for their high efficiency and power per weight. Still, the steady-state output is one of the critical factors for their commercialization. In this paper, it is found that the steady-state current of inverted fPSCs based on nickel oxide nanoparticles (n-NiOx) continuously decreases under light illumination. Conversely, those based on magnetron-sputtered NiOx (sp-NiOx) exhibit the opposite result. Based on visualization of ion migration in the photoluminescence (PL) imaging microscopy tests, the discrepancies in the buried surfaces lead to the differences in ion migration in perovskite films, which triggers the temporary instability of the output current of devices during operation. The DFT theoretical calculation and experimental results reveal that NiOx films with different contents of Ni vacancies can modulate the crystallization of the perovskite films on the NiOx surfaces. Tuning the crystallization of the perovskite films is essential to stabilize the output current of fPSCs at a steady state. To demonstrate that, capsaicin is doped into the perovskite solutions to improve the quality of the perovskite buried interface. Finally, the corresponding fPSCs exhibit outstanding efficiency and stability during operation. These results provide valuable scientific guidance for fabricating fPSCs with stable operation under illumination conditions.
ABSTRACT
Nickel oxide (NiOx) nanocrystals have been widely used in inverted (p-i-n) flexible perovskite solar cells (fPSCs) due to their remarkable advantages of low cost and outstanding stability. However, anion and cation impurities such as NO3- widely exist in the NiOx nanocrystals obtained from calcinated nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2). The impurities impair the photovoltaic performance of fPSCs. In this work, we report a facile but effective way to reduce the impurities within the NiOx nanocrystals by regulating the Ni(OH)2 crystal phase. We add different alkalis, such as organic ammonium hydroxide and alkali metal hydroxides, to nickel nitrate solutions to precipitate layered Ni(OH)2 with different crystalline phase compositions (α and ß mixtures). Especially, Ni(OH)2 with a high ß-phase content (such as from KOH) has a narrower crystal plane spacing, resulting in fewer residual impurity ions. Thus, the NiOx nanocrystals, by calcinating the Ni(OH)x with excess ß phase from KOH, show improved performance in inverted fPSCs. A champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.42% has been achieved, which is among the state-of-art inverted fPSCs based on the NiOx hole transport material. Moreover, the reduced impurities are beneficial for enhancing the fPSCs' stability. This work provides an essential but facile strategy for developing high-performance inverted fPSCs.
ABSTRACT
Flexible perovskite solar cells (fPSCs) with the inverted structure (p-i-n structure) show a promising commercialization future, owing to their lightweight and high efficiencies. Phenyl-C61-butyric-acid methyl ester (PCBM) is widely used as the n-type material due to its excellent conductivity and solvent processability. However, the commonly used chlorobenzene (CB), as the solvent of PCBM solution, is well recognized as a halogenated contaminant in the environment and is harmful to human health. There is an imperative need to develop nonhalogenated green solvents to replace CB. This work discusses the selection of green solvents based on the Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs). It is found that 2-methylanisole (2-MEA) acts as an excellent alternative to CB, with which high-quality PCBM films could be deposited. The experimental and theoretical studies demonstrate that 2-MEA can suppress the formation of PCBM aggregations during the solvation process compared with CB. The more uniform PCBM film achieved from the 2-MEA solution benefits carrier extraction at the electronic transport layer (ETL)/perovskite interface. As a result, better efficiencies are received among fPSCs based on the 2-MEA-processed PCBM, superior to that of the fPSCs based on the CB-processed PCBM. Moreover, using 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) as a solvent additive is proven to further increase the solubility of PCBM in the 2-MEA solution, resulting in enhanced efficiencies of the flexible PSCs by more than 5% (from 19.25 to 20.30%). The developed green-solvent strategy is of great importance for the future large-scale production of environmentally sustainable fPSCs.
ABSTRACT
Addressing the toxicity issue in lead-based perovskite compounds by seeking other nontoxic candidate elements represents a promising direction to fabricate lead-free perovskite solar cells. Recently, Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite achieved by replacing two Pb2+ with Ag+ and Bi3+ in the crystal lattice has drawn much attention owing to the convenient substitution of its chemical compositions. Herein, the dependence of the optoelectronic properties and corresponding photovoltaic performance of Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films on the deposition methods of vacuum sublimation and solution processing is investigated. Compared to the vacuum sublimation based one, the solution-processed Cs2AgBiBr6 shows inherently higher crystallinity, narrower electronic bandgap, longer photoexcitation lifetime, and higher mobility. The excellent optoelectronic properties are attributed to the accurate composition stoichiometry of Cs2AgBiBr6 films based on solution processing. These merits enable the corresponding perovskite solar cells to deliver a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.51%, which is the highest PCE in the Cs2AgBiBr6-based double perovskite solar cells to date. The finding in this work provides a clear clue that a precise composition stoichiometry could guarantee the formation of high quality multicomponent perovskite films.
ABSTRACT
A novel mixed perovskite emitter layer is applied to design all-inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with high electroluminescence (EL) performance, by combining CsPbBr3 with iridium(iii)bis[2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2']-picolinate (FIrpic), where FIrpic is a phosphorescent material with very high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) approaching 100%. The CsPbBr3:FIrpic PeLEDs show a maximum luminance of 5486 cd m-2, and an external quantum efficiency of 0.47%, which are 1.84 and 1.76 times that of neat CsPbBr3 PeLEDs, respectively. It is found that FIrpic molecules as an assistant dopant can efficiently transmit energy from the excitons of FIrpic to the excited state of the CsPbBr3 emitter via a Förster energy transfer process, leading to enhanced EL efficiency in the CsPbBr3:FIrpic PeLEDs.
ABSTRACT
Solution-processable organometal halide perovskites have been emerging as very promising materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) because of their high color purity, low cost, and high photoluminescence quantum yield. However, their electroluminescent performance is still limited by incomplete surface coverage and inefficient charge injection into the perovskite. Here, we demonstrate highly efficient perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs) incorporating full film coverage and bipolar charge injection within the active layer by introducing perovskite precursor poly(9-vinylcarbazole):1,3,5-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene (PVK:TPBi) toluene solution into CH3NH3PbBr3 N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Both the film coverage and the charge injections were simultaneously improved by antisolvent of toluene and PVK:TPBi matrix, respectively. After the film morphology and weight ratio of PVK:TPBi were carefully adjusted, the optimal PeLEDs gave efficient emission with turn-on voltage of â¼2.8 V, maximum luminance of â¼7263 cd/m2, maximum current efficiency of â¼9.45 cd/A, and maximum external quantum efficiency of â¼2.28%, which are among the best results based on MAPbBr3 reported to date.
