1
|
Pecoraro A, Maddalena P, Pavone M, Muñoz García AB. First-Principles Study of Cu-Based Inorganic Hole Transport Materials for Solar Cell Applications. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:5703. [PMID: 36013837 PMCID: PMC9413571 DOI: 10.3390/ma15165703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) both represent promising strategies for the sustainable conversion of sunlight into electricity and fuels. However, a few flaws of current devices hinder the large-scale establishment of such technologies. On one hand, PSCs suffer from instabilities and undesired phenomena mostly linked to the perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) interface. Most of the currently employed organic HTL (e.g., Spiro-OMeTAD) are supposed to contribute to the perovskite decomposition and to be responsible for charge recombination processes and polarization barriers. On the other hand, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of DSCs are still too low to compete with other conversion technologies. Tandem cells are built by assembling p-type and n-type DSCs in a cascade architecture and, since each dye absorbs on a different portion of the solar spectrum, the harvesting window is increased and the theoretical efficiency limit for a single chromophore (i.e., the Shockley-Queisser limit) is overcome. However, such a strategy is hindered by the lack of a p-type semiconductor with optimal photocathode features. Nickel oxide has been, by far, the first-choice inorganic p-type semiconductor for both PV technologies, but its toxicity and non-optimal features (e.g., too low open circuit voltage and the presence of trap states) call for alternatives. Herein, we study of three p-type semiconductors as possible alternative to NiO, namely CuI, CuSCN and Cu2O. To this aim, we compare the structural and electronic features of the three materials by means of a unified theoretical approach based on the state-of-the art density functional theory (DFT). We focus on the calculation of their valence band edge energies and compare such values with those of two widely employed photo-absorbers, i.e., methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) and the triple cation MAFACsPbBrI in PSCs and P1 and Y123 dyes in DSCs, given that the band alignment and the energy offset are crucial for the charge transport at the interfaces and have direct implications on the final efficiency. We dissect the effect a copper vacancy (i.e., intrinsic p-type doping) on the alignment pattern and rationalize it from both a structural and an electronic perspective. Our data show how defects can represent a crucial degree of freedom to control the driving force for hole injection in these devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Pecoraro
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasqualino Maddalena
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ana B. Muñoz García
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muñoz-García AB, Benesperi I, Boschloo G, Concepcion JJ, Delcamp JH, Gibson EA, Meyer GJ, Pavone M, Pettersson H, Hagfeldt A, Freitag M. Dye-sensitized solar cells strike back. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12450-12550. [PMID: 34590638 PMCID: PMC8591630 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01336f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are celebrating their 30th birthday and they are attracting a wealth of research efforts aimed at unleashing their full potential. In recent years, DSCs and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have experienced a renaissance as the best technology for several niche applications that take advantage of DSCs' unique combination of properties: at low cost, they are composed of non-toxic materials, are colorful, transparent, and very efficient in low light conditions. This review summarizes the advancements in the field over the last decade, encompassing all aspects of the DSC technology: theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications as solar cells and as drivers for the synthesis of solar fuels, and commercialization efforts from various companies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Muñoz-García
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Benesperi
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerrit Boschloo
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Javier J Concepcion
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - Jared H Delcamp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Gibson
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerald J Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anders Hagfeldt
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
- University Management and Management Council, Vice Chancellor, Uppsala University, Segerstedthuset, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marina Freitag
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Role of surface defects in CO2 adsorption and activation on CuFeO2 delafossite oxide. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2020.111181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
4
|
Wrede S, Tian H. Towards sustainable and efficient p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes for solar energy conversion. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:13850-13861. [PMID: 32567609 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01363c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In order to meet the ever-growing global energy demand for affordable and clean energy, it is essential to provide this energy by renewable resources and consider the eco-efficiency of the production and abundance of the utilised materials. While this is seldom discussed in the case of technologies still in the research stage, addressing the issue of sustainability is key to push research in the right direction. Here we provide an overview of the current p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes, considering element abundance, synthetic methods and large scale fabrication as well as the underlying physical properties that are necessary for efficient solar harvesting devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Wrede
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström Lab., Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pecoraro A, De Maria A, Delli Veneri P, Pavone M, Muñoz-García AB. Interfacial electronic features in methyl-ammonium lead iodide and p-type oxide heterostructures: new insights for inverted perovskite solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:28401-28413. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cp05328g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
First-principles simulations unveil the interface electronic structures of MAPI/NiO and MAPI/CuGaO2 heterojunctions in inverted perovskite solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Pecoraro
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Comp. Univ. Monte Sant’Angelo
- Via Cintia 21
- Naples
| | - Antonella De Maria
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies
- Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) – Portici, Research Centre
- Piazzale E. Fermi 1
- 80055 Portici
- Italy
| | - Paola Delli Veneri
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies
- Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) – Portici, Research Centre
- Piazzale E. Fermi 1
- 80055 Portici
- Italy
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Comp. Univ. Monte Sant’Angelo
- Via Cintia 21
- Naples
| | - Ana B. Muñoz-García
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II
- Comp. Univ. Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia 21
- Naples
- Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang B, Thampy S, Dunlap-Shohl WA, Xu W, Zheng Y, Cao FY, Cheng YJ, Malko AV, Mitzi DB, Hsu JWP. Mg Doped CuCrO 2 as Efficient Hole Transport Layers for Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 9:E1311. [PMID: 31540282 PMCID: PMC6781018 DOI: 10.3390/nano9091311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The electrical and optical properties of the hole transport layer (HTL) are critical for organic and halide perovskite solar cell (OSC and PSC, respectively) performance. In this work, we studied the effect of Mg doping on CuCrO2 (CCO) nanoparticles and their performance as HTLs in OSCs and PSCs. CCO and Mg doped CCO (Mg:CCO) nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized. The nanoparticles were characterized by various experimental techniques to study the effect of Mg doping on structural, chemical, morphological, optical, and electronic properties of CCO. We found that Mg doping increases work function and decreases particle size. We demonstrate CCO and Mg:CCO as efficient HTLs in a variety of OSCs, including the first demonstration of a non-fullerene acceptor bulk heterojunction, and CH3NH3PbI3 PSCs. A small improvement of average short-circuit current density with Mg doping was found in all systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boya Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Sampreetha Thampy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Wiley A Dunlap-Shohl
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Weijie Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Yangzi Zheng
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Fong-Yi Cao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ju Cheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Anton V Malko
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - David B Mitzi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Julia W P Hsu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muñoz-García AB, Caputo L, Schiavo E, Baiano C, Maddalena P, Pavone M. Ab initio Study of Anchoring Groups for CuGaO 2 Delafossite-Based p-Type Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Front Chem 2019; 7:158. [PMID: 30984735 PMCID: PMC6449920 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report the first theoretical characterization of the interface between the CuGaO2 delafossite oxide and the carboxylic (–COOH) and phosphonic acid (–PO3H2) anchoring groups. The promising use of delafossites as effective alternative to nickel oxide in p-type DSSC is still limited by practical difficulties in sensitizing the delafossite surface. Thus, this work provides atomistic insights on the structure and energetics of all the possible interactions between the anchoring functional groups and the CuGaO2 surface species, including the effects of the Mg doping and of the solvent medium. Our results highlight the presence of a strong selectivity toward the monodentate binding mode on surface Ga atoms for both the carboxylic and phosphonic acid groups. Since the binding modes have a strong influence on the hole injection thermodynamics, these findings have direct implications for further development of delafossite based p-type DSSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Muñoz-García
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Caputo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Schiavo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Baiano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualino Maddalena
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Comp. Univ. Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
While p-type transparent conducting materials (TCMs) are crucial for many optoelectronic applications, their performance is still not satisfactory. This has impeded the development of many devices such as photovoltaics, sensors, and transparent electronics. Among the various p-type TCMs proposed so far, Cu-based oxides and oxychalcogenides have demonstrated promising results in terms of their optical and electrical properties. Hence, they are the focus of this current review. Their basic material properties, including their crystal structures, conduction mechanisms, and electronic structures will be covered, as well as their device applications. Also, the development of performance enhancement strategies including doping/co-doping, annealing, and other innovative ways to improve conductivity will be discussed in detail.
Collapse
|