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Seid BA, Ozen S, Castro-Méndez AF, Neher D, Stolterfoht M, Lang F. Mitigating Mobile-Ion-Induced Instabilities and Performance Losses in 2D Passivated Perovskite Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2025:e2501588. [PMID: 40346780 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202501588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2025] [Revised: 04/14/2025] [Indexed: 05/12/2025]
Abstract
Bulky ammonium salt-based passivation is an effective strategy for enhancing the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Especially, phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) is known to greatly improve open-circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF). Despite these benefits, PEAI passivation leads to substantial short-circuit current density (JSC) losses and rapid degradation under operational conditions. In this work, it is revealed that the JSC loss as well as the accelerated degradation in PEAI-passivated devices is caused by an increased mobile ion density. To mitigate this performance and stability-limiting mechanism, ultrathin layers of ammonium benzenesulfonate (ABS) and/or ethylenediammonium diiodide (EDAI2) salts are then introduced between the PEAI and the perovskite, which stabilize the 2D perovskite layer and impede diffusion even under upon prolonged illumination. This leads to a reduced mobile ion density both in fresh devices and in the long term, lowering losses JSC, and thus enables power conversion efficiencies of ≈25% with enhanced stability. Overall, this study not only addresses the limitations of PEAI-based 2D passivation but also paves the way for understanding 2D-induced ionic JSC losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biruk Alebachew Seid
- Physik und Optoelektronik weicher Materie, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sercan Ozen
- Physik und Optoelektronik weicher Materie, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Andrés-Felipe Castro-Méndez
- Physik und Optoelektronik weicher Materie, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Physik und Optoelektronik weicher Materie, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Electronic Engineering Department, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 00000, China
| | - Felix Lang
- Physik und Optoelektronik weicher Materie, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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2
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Brunner J, Wrzesińska‐Lashkova A, Scalon L, Muniz RP, Prudnikau A, Pohl D, Löffler M, Paulus F, Vaynzof Y. Post-Degradation Recovery of CsPbI 3 Quantum Dot Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2025; 21:e2409709. [PMID: 39780733 PMCID: PMC11840470 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202409709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2024] [Revised: 11/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
The stability of perovskite quantum dot solar cells is one of the key challenges of this technology. This study reveals the unique degradation behavior of cesium lead triiodide (CsPbI3) quantum dot solar cells. For the first time, it is shown that the oxygen-induced degradation and performance loss of CsPbI3 quantum dot photovoltaic devices can be reversed by exposing the degraded samples to humidity, allowing the performance to recover and even surpass the initial performance. By careful characterization and analysis throughout the degradation and recovery process, the underlying physical and chemical mechanisms that govern the evolution of the device performance could be identified. It is shown that the ligand shell of the quantum dots, rather than the instability of the semiconducting material itself, is the driving factor in these mechanisms. This highlights the important role of surface chemistry and ligand design in enhancing perovskite quantum dot photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Brunner
- Chair for Emerging Electronic TechnologiesTUD Dresden University of TechnologyNöthnitzer Straße 6101187DresdenGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
| | - Angelika Wrzesińska‐Lashkova
- Chair for Emerging Electronic TechnologiesTUD Dresden University of TechnologyNöthnitzer Straße 6101187DresdenGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
| | - Lucas Scalon
- Chair for Emerging Electronic TechnologiesTUD Dresden University of TechnologyNöthnitzer Straße 6101187DresdenGermany
- Institute of ChemistryUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)São Paulo13083–970CampinasBrazil
| | - Ruth Pinheiro Muniz
- Chair for Emerging Electronic TechnologiesTUD Dresden University of TechnologyNöthnitzer Straße 6101187DresdenGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
| | - Anatol Prudnikau
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
| | - Darius Pohl
- Dresden Center for Nanoanalysis (DCN)Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed)TUD Dresden University of TechnologyHelmholtzstraße 1801069DresdenGermany
| | - Markus Löffler
- Dresden Center for Nanoanalysis (DCN)Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed)TUD Dresden University of TechnologyHelmholtzstraße 1801069DresdenGermany
| | - Fabian Paulus
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed)Helmholtzstraße 1801069DresdenGermany
| | - Yana Vaynzof
- Chair for Emerging Electronic TechnologiesTUD Dresden University of TechnologyNöthnitzer Straße 6101187DresdenGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research DresdenHelmholtzstraße 2001069DresdenGermany
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed)Helmholtzstraße 1801069DresdenGermany
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3
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Scalon L, Nogueira CA, Fonseca AF, Marchezi PE, Moral RF, Grancini G, Kodalle T, Sutter-Fella CM, Oliveira CC, Zagonel LF, Nogueira AF. 2D Phase Formation on 3D Perovskite: Insights from Molecular Stiffness. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:51727-51737. [PMID: 39269325 PMCID: PMC11440457 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c11394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that low-dimensional structures (e.g., two-dimensional (2D)) associated with three-dimensional (3D) perovskite films enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, we aim to track the formation sites of the 2D phase on top of the 3D perovskite and to establish correlations between molecular stiffness and steric hindrance of the organic cations and their influence on the formation and crystallization of 2D/3D. Using cathodoluminescence combined with a scanning electron microscopy technique, we verified that the formation of the 2D phase occurs preferentially on the grain boundaries of the 3D perovskite. This helps explain some passivation mechanisms conferred by the 2D phase on 3D perovskite films. Furthermore, by employing in situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering, we monitored the formation and crystallization of the 2D/3D perovskite using three cations with varying molecular stiffness. In this series of molecules, the formation and crystallization of the 2D phase are found to be dependent on both steric hindrance around the ammonium group and molecular stiffness. Finally, we employed a 2D/3D perovskite heterointerface in a solar cell. The presence of the 2D phase, particularly those formed from flexible cations, resulted in a maximum power conversion efficiency of 21.5%. This study provides insight into critical aspects related to how bulky organic cations' stiffness and steric hindrance influence the formation, crystallization, and distribution of 2D perovskite phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Scalon
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Charles Alves Nogueira
- Gleb
Wataghin Institute of Physics, University
of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-859 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo E. Marchezi
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department
of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Raphael Fernando Moral
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Molecular
Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Giulia Grancini
- Department
of Chemistry and INSTM, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelly 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Tim Kodalle
- Molecular
Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Advanced
Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Carolin M. Sutter-Fella
- Molecular
Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Caio Costa Oliveira
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zagonel
- Gleb
Wataghin Institute of Physics, University
of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-859 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana F. Nogueira
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Muthu C, Resmi AN, Ajayakumar A, Ravindran NEA, Dayal G, Jinesh KB, Szaciłowski K, Vijayakumar C. Self-Assembly of Delta-Formamidinium Lead Iodide Nanoparticles to Nanorods: Study of Memristor Properties and Resistive Switching Mechanism. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304787. [PMID: 38243886 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
In the quest for advanced memristor technologies, this study introduces the synthesis of delta-formamidinium lead iodide (δ-FAPbI3) nanoparticles (NPs) and their self-assembly into nanorods (NRs). The formation of these NRs is facilitated by iodide vacancies, promoting the fusion of individual NPs at higher concentrations. Notably, these NRs exhibit robust stability under ambient conditions, a distinctive advantage attributed to the presence of capping ligands and a crystal lattice structured around face-sharing octahedra. When employed as the active layer in resistive random-access memory devices, these NRs demonstrate exceptional bipolar switching properties. A remarkable on/off ratio (105) is achieved, surpassing the performances of previously reported low-dimensional perovskite derivatives and α-FAPbI3 NP-based devices. This enhanced performance is attributed to the low off-state current owing to the reduced number of halide vacancies, intrinsic low dimensionality, and the parallel alignment of NRs on the FTO substrate. This study not only provides significant insights into the development of superior materials for memristor applications but also opens new avenues for exploring low-dimensional perovskite derivatives in advanced electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinnadurai Muthu
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 019, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - A N Resmi
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 547, India
| | - Avija Ajayakumar
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 019, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - N E Aswathi Ravindran
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 019, India
| | - G Dayal
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 547, India
| | - K B Jinesh
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 547, India
| | - Konrad Szaciłowski
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, Krakow, 30 059, Poland
| | - Chakkooth Vijayakumar
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, 695 019, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
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5
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Scalon L, Freitas FS, Marques FDC, Nogueira AF. Tiny spots to light the future: advances in synthesis, properties, and application of perovskite nanocrystals in solar cells. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:907-941. [PMID: 36629010 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05043a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Perovskites are in the hotspot of material science and technology. Outstanding properties have been discovered, fundamental mechanisms of defect formation and degradation elucidated, and applications in a wide variety of optoelectronic devices demonstrated. Advances through adjusting the bulk-perovskite composition, as well as the integration of layered and nanostructured perovskites in the devices, allowed improvement in performance and stability. Recently, efforts have been devoted to investigating the effects of quantum confinement in perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) aiming to fabricate optoelectronic devices based solely on these nanoparticles. In general, the applications are focused on light-emitting diodes, especially because of the high color purity and high fluorescence quantum yield obtained in PNCs. Likewise, they present important characteristics featured for photovoltaic applications, highlighting the possibility of stabilizing photoactive phases that are unstable in their bulk analog, the fine control of the bandgap through size change, low defect density, and compatibility with large-scale deposition techniques. Despite the progress made in the last years towards the improvement in the performance and stability of PNCs-based solar cells, their efficiency is still much lower than that obtained with bulk perovskite, and discussions about upscaling of this technology are scarce. In light of this, we address in this review recent routes towards efficiency improvement and the up-scaling of PNC solar cells, emphasizing synthesis management and strategies for solar cell fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Scalon
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.
| | - Flavio Santos Freitas
- Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 30421-169, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Flávia Nogueira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.
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