Monojit Bag

Kinetics of Ion Transport in Perovskite Active Layers and Its Implications for Active Layer Stability

Solar cells fabricated using alkyl ammonium metal halides as light absorbers have the right combination of high power conversion efficiency and ease of fabrication to realize inexpensive but efficient thin film solar cells. However, they degrade under prolonged exposure to sunlight. Herein, we show that this degradation is quasi-reversible, and that it can be greatly lessened by simple modifications of the solar cell operating conditions. We studied perovskite devices using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with methylammonium (MA)-, formamidinium (FA)-, and MA(x)FA(1-x) lead triiodide as active layers. From variable temperature EIS studies, we found that the diffusion coefficient using MA ions was greater than when using FA ions. Structural studies using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) show that for MAPbI3 a structural change and lattice expansion occurs at device operating temperatures. On the basis of EIS and PXRD studies, we postulate that in MAPbI3 the predominant mechanism of accelerated device degradation under sunlight involves thermally activated fast ion transport coupled with a lattice-expanding phase transition, both of which are facilitated by absorption of the infrared component of the solar spectrum. Using these findings, we show that the devices show greatly improved operation lifetimes and stability under white-light emitting diodes, or under a solar simulator with an infrared cutoff filter or with cooling.

Correlating reduced fill factor in polymer solar cells to contact effects

A probable limiting factor for efficiency and fill factors of organic solar cells originates from the cathode-polymer interface. We utilize various forms of cathode layer such as Al, Ca, oxidized Ca, and low melting point alloys in model systems to emphasize this aspect in our studies. The current-voltage (JV) response in the fourth quadrant indicates a general trend of convex shaped JV characteristics (d2J∕dV2>0) for illuminated devices with good cathode-polymer interfaces and linear or concave JV responses (d2J∕dV2<0) for inefficient cathode-polymer interfaces.

Area dependent efficiency of organic solar cells

Efficiency estimations of organic solar cells are observed to be dependent on the dimensions of electrode defining the active area. We address this issue and explore the manner in which efficiency scales in polymer solar cells by studying these devices as a function of electrode area and incident beam size. The increase in efficiency for smaller active areas can be explained by the reduced electrical resistive loss, the enhanced optical effects, and the finite additional fraction of photogenerated carriers in the vicinity of the perimeter defined by the metal electrode

High Efficiency Tandem Thin-Perovskite/Polymer Solar Cells with a Graded Recombination Layer.

Perovskite-containing tandem solar cells are attracting attention for their potential to achieve high efficiencies. We demonstrate a series connection of a ∼ 90 nm thick perovskite front subcell and a ∼ 100 nm thick polymer:fullerene blend back subcell that benefits from an efficient graded recombination layer containing a zwitterionic fullerene, silver (Ag), and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). This methodology eliminates the adverse effects of thermal annealing or chemical treatment that occurs during perovskite fabrication on polymer-based front subcells. The record tandem perovskite/polymer solar cell efficiency of 16.0%, with low hysteresis, is 75% greater than that of the corresponding ∼ 90 nm thick perovskite single-junction device and 65% greater than that of the polymer single-junction device. The high efficiency of this hybrid tandem device, achieved using only a ∼ 90 nm thick perovskite layer, provides an opportunity to substantially reduce the lead content in the device, while maintaining the high performance derived from perovskites.

Multiscale Active Layer Morphologies for Organic Photovoltaics Through Self-Assembly of Nanospheres

We address here the need for a general strategy to control molecular assembly over multiple length scales. Efficient organic photovoltaics require an active layer comprised of a mesoscale interconnected networks of nanoscale aggregates of semiconductors. We demonstrate a method, using principles of molecular self-assembly and geometric packing, for controlled assembly of semiconductors at the nanoscale and mesoscale. Nanoparticles of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) or [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were fabricated with targeted sizes. Nanoparticles containing a blend of both P3HT and PCBM were also fabricated. The active layer morphology was tuned by the changing particle composition, particle radii, and the ratios of P3HT:PCBM particles. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated from these aqueous nanoparticle dispersions with comparable device performance to typical bulk-heterojunction devices. Our strategy opens a revolutionary pathway to study and tune the active layer morphology systematically while exercising control of the component assembly at multiple length scales.

Efficient Charge Transport in Assemblies of Surfactant-Stabilized Semiconducting Nanoparticles

Charge transport through a semiconducting nanoparticle assembly is demonstrated. The hole mobility of low and high molecular weight and regioreglular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanoparticles is on the order of 2 × 10(-4) to 5 × 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) , which is comparable to drop-cast thin films of pristine P3HT. Various methods are employed to understand the nature and importance of the nanoparticle packing.

Fabrication conditions for efficient organic photovoltaic cells from aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles

For environmentally friendly and cost-effective manufacturing of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, it is highly desirable to replace haloarenes with water as the active layer fabrication solvent. Replacing an organic solvent with water requires retooling the device fabrication steps. The optimization studies were conducted using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as active layer materials. These materials were dispersed in water as blend and separate nanoparticles using the miniemulsion method. Topologies of the active layers were investigated using atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy techniques. We have identified two essential steps to fabricate efficient OPVs from aqueous dispersions: (1) treatment of the hole-transport layer with UV-O3 to make the surface hydrophilic and (2) the use of an electron-transporting buffer layer for efficient charge extraction. We have also identified relative humidity and substrate temperature as key fabrication parameters for obtaining uniform active layer films. The OPV devices were fabricated using PEDOT:PSS as the hole-transport layer and PCBM as electron-transport layer with Ca/Al as the counter electrode. Efficiencies of 2.15% with a fill factor over 66% were obtained; the efficiency and the fill-factor is the highest among all aqueous processing of P3HT–PCBM nanoparticle solar cells.

Indoor light recycling: a new home for organic photovoltaics

The field of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has long focused on matching silicon solar cells, both in high power conversion efficiency (PCE) under solar light and broad absorption of the solar spectrum. We show that OPV devices, which have significantly lower PCEs than high-performing crystalline silicon cells when measured under the typical AM 1.5G solar standard, can surpass silicon cells with PCEs >20% measured under LED light. We highlight that the conflation of the terms “solar cell” and “photovoltaic” gives an incomplete view of the potential of many photovoltaic materials, especially organic materials. By expanding the definition and assessment of photovoltaic devices to include multiple light sources, OPVs—with their higher PCEs under indoor light and qualitative benefits of being lightweight, thin, flexible, and semi-transparent—could have a home in previously unconsidered low-power indoor applications.

Universality in the intensity-modulated photocurrent in bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells

We observe a universal feature in the frequency

Fluctuations in photocurrent of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells—A valuable tool to understand microscopic and degradation processes

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