Erik M. J. Johansson

Effect of Different Hole Transport Materials on Recombination in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite-Sensitized Mesoscopic Solar Cells

We report on perovskite (CH3NH3)PbI3-sensitized solid-state solar cells using spiro-OMeTAD, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and 4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde diphenylhydrazone (DEH) as hole transport materials (HTMs) with a light to electricity power conversion efficiency of 8.5%, 4.5%, and 1.6%, respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination of 1000 W/m(2) intensity. Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy (PIA) shows that hole transfer occurs from the (CH3NH3)PbI3 to HTMs after excitation of (CH3NH3)PbI3. The electron lifetime (τe) in these devices are in the order Spiro-OMeTAD > P3HT > DEH, while the charge transport time (ttr) is rather similar. The difference in τe can therefore explain the lower efficiency of the devices based on P3HT and DEH. This report shows that the nature of the HTM is essential for charge recombination and elucidates that finding an optimal HTM for the perovskite solar cell includes controlling the perovskite/HTM interaction. Design routes for new HTMs are suggested.

Bismuth Based Hybrid Perovskites A3Bi2I9 (A: Methylammonium or Cesium) for Solar Cell Application

Low-toxic bismuth-based perovskites are prepared for the possible replacement of lead perovskite in solar cells. The perovskites have a hexagonal crystalline phase and light absorption in the visible region. A power conversion efficiency of over 1% is obtained for a solar cell with Cs3 Bi2 I9 perovskite, and it is concluded that bismuth perovskites have very promising properties for further development in solar cells.

Electronic Properties of Meso-Superstructured and Planar Organometal Halide Perovskite Films : Charge Trapping, Photodoping, and Carrier Mobility

Solution-processed organometal trihalide perovskite solar cells are attracting increasing interest, leading to high performances over 15% in thin film architectures. Here, we probe the presence of sub gap states in both solid and mesosuperstructured perovskite films and determine that they strongly influence the photoconductivity response and splitting of the quasi-Fermi levels in films and solar cells. We find that while the planar perovskite films are superior to the mesosuperstructured films in terms of charge carrier mobility (in excess of 20 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) and emissivity, the planar heterojunction solar cells are limited in photovoltage by the presence of sub gap states and low intrinsic doping densities.

Efficient and stable CH3NH3PbI3-sensitized ZnO nanorod array solid-state solar cells

We report for the first time the use of a perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) absorber in combination with ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) for solar cell applications. The perovskite material has a higher absorption coefficient than molecular dye sensitizers, gives better solar cell stability, and is therefore more suited as a sensitizer for ZnO NRAs. A solar cell efficiency of 5.0% was achieved under 1000 W m(-2) AM 1.5 G illumination for a solar cell with the structure: ZnO NRA/CH3NH3PbI3/spiro-MeOTAD/Ag. Moreover, the solar cell shows a good long-term stability. Using transient photocurrent and photovoltage measurements it was found that the electron transport time and lifetime vary with the ZnO nanorod length, a trend which is similar to that in dye-sensitized solar cells, DSCs, suggesting a similar charge transfer process in ZnO NRA/CH3NH3PbI3 solar cells as in conventional DSCs. Compared to CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 solar cells, ZnO shows a lower performance due to more recombination losses.

Cobalt(II/III) redox electrolyte in ZnO nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In this work, we explore the use of cobalt complex redox shuttles in dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on ZnO nanowires (NWs). Arrays of vertically aligned ZnO NWs produced by a low-cost hydrothermal method are used to fabricate DSCs with [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+) as electrolyte. A direct comparison of the performance of [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+)-based ZnO DSC with I(-)/I3(-)-based ones demonstrates the higher suitability of the cobalt complex, both in terms of a larger open circuit voltage (VOC) and a higher photocurrent. The [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+) electrolyte results in VOC enhancements above 200 mV. This VOC increase is associated to the better match between the cobalt complex redox potential and the oxidation potential of the dye. The incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) enhancement is attributed to a less competitive visible light absorption of the cobalt redox couple. Thus the present study opens new opportunities to improve energy conversion efficiency in ZnO-based DSCs.

Electronic and molecular structures of organic dye/TiO2 interfaces for solar cell applications: a core level photoelectron spectroscopy study

The electronic and molecular properties of three organic dye molecules with the general structure donor-linker-anchor have been investigated using core level photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). The molecules contain a diphenylaniline donor unit, a thiophene linker unit, and cyanoacrylic acid or rhodanine-3-acetic acid anchor units. They have been investigated both in the form of a multilayer and adsorbed onto nanoporous TiO(2) and the experimental results were also compared with DFT calculations. The changes at the dye-sensitized TiO(2) surface due to the modification of either the donor unit or the anchor unit was investigated and the results showed important differences in coverage as well as in electronic and molecular surface properties. By measuring the core level binding energies, the sub-molecular properties were characterized and the result showed that the adsorption to the TiO(2) influences the energy levels of the sub-molecular units differently.

Strategy to Boost the Efficiency of Mixed-Ion Perovskite Solar Cells: Changing Geometry of the Hole Transporting Material

The hole transporting material (HTM) is an essential component in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for efficient extraction and collection of the photoinduced charges. Triphenylamine- and carbazole-based derivatives have extensively been explored as alternative and economical HTMs for PSCs. However, the improvement of their power conversion efficiency (PCE), as well as further investigation of the relationship between the chemical structure of the HTMs and the photovoltaic performance, is imperatively needed. In this respect, a simple carbazole-based HTM X25 was designed on the basis of a reference HTM, triphenylamine-based X2, by simply linking two neighboring phenyl groups in a triphenylamine unit through a carbon-carbon single bond. It was found that a lowered highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level was obtained for X25 compared to that of X2. Besides, the carbazole moiety in X25 improved the molecular planarity as well as conductivity property in comparison with the triphenylamine unit in X2. Utilizing the HTM X25 in a solar cell with mixed-ion perovskite [HC(NH2)2]0.85(CH3NH3)0.15Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3, a highest reported PCE of 17.4% at 1 sun (18.9% under 0.46 sun) for carbazole-based HTM in PSCs was achieved, in comparison of a PCE of 14.7% for triphenylamine-based HTM X2. From the steady-state photoluminescence and transient photocurrent/photovoltage measurements, we conclude that (1) the lowered HOMO level for X25 compared to X2 favored a higher open-circuit voltage (Voc) in PSCs; (2) a more uniform formation of X25 capping layer than X2 on the surface of perovskite resulted in more efficient hole transport and charge extraction in the devices. In addition, the long-term stability of PSCs with X25 is significantly enhanced compared to X2 due to its good uniformity of HTM layer and thus complete coverage on the perovskite. The results provide important information to further develop simple and efficient small molecular HTMs applied in solar cells.

High Temperature-Stable Perovskite Solar Cell Based on Low-Cost Carbon Nanotube Hole Contact

Mixed ion perovskite solar cells (PSC) are manufactured with a metal-free hole contact based on press-transferred single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film infiltrated with 2,2,7,-7-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,90-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). By means of maximum power point tracking, their stabilities are compared with those of standard PSCs employing spin-coated Spiro-OMeTAD and a thermally evaporated Au back contact, under full 1 sun illumination, at 60 °C, and in a N2 atmosphere. During the 140 h experiment, the solar cells with the Au electrode experience a dramatic, irreversible efficiency loss, rendering them effectively nonoperational, whereas the SWCNT-contacted devices show only a small linear efficiency loss with an extrapolated lifetime of 580 h.

Solid-State Perovskite-Sensitized p-Type Mesoporous Nickel Oxide Solar Cells

Perovskite has been adopted as photosensitizer to develop solid state p-type mesoporous nickel oxide (NiO) dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing PCBM as electron conductor. The optimal device achieved an efficiency of 1.5% with an impressive open circuit voltage of more than 800 mV, which is the record of solar cell based on p-type mesoporous NiO electrode. This result shows the potential for building highly efficient p-type NiO solar cells as stand-alone device.

Extended Photo-Conversion Spectrum in Low-Toxic Bismuth Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Lead-based perovskites show very promising properties for use in solar cells; however, the toxicity of lead is a potential inhibitor for large-scale application of these solar cells. Here, a low-toxic bismuth halide, CsBi3I10, is synthesized from solution and the optical properties and crystal structure are compared with previously reported Cs3Bi2I9 perovskite, and the photovoltaic properties are also investigated. The XRD pattern suggests that the CsBi3I10 film has a layered structure with a different dominating crystal growth direction than the Cs3Bi2I9 perovskite. A band gap of 1.77 eV is obtained for the CsBi3I10 film, which is smaller than the band gap of Cs3Bi2I9 at 2.03 eV, and an extended visible light absorption spectrum is therefore obtained. The solar cell device with CsBi3I10 shows a photocurrent up to 700 nm, and this work shows therefore the possibility for increased light absorption and higher photocurrents in solar cells based on bismuth halide perovskites.