Perovskite and quantum dot tandem solar cells with interlayer modification for improved optical semitransparency and stability

Optimizing Crystallization in Wide-Bandgap Mixed Halide Perovskites for High-Efficiency Solar Cells

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskites have attracted considerable attention due to their adjustable bandgap properties, making them ideal candidates for top subcells in tandem solar cells (TSCs). However, WBG perovskites often face challenges such as inhomogeneous crystallization and severe nonradiative recombination loss, leading to high open-circuit voltage (VOC) deficits and poor stability. To address these issues, a multifunctional phenylethylammonium acetate (PEAAc) additive that enhances uniform halide phase distribution and reduces defect density in perovskite films by regulating the mixed-halide crystallization rate, is introduced. This approach successfully develops efficient WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with reduced VOC loss and enhanced stability. By applying this universal strategy to the FAMACsPb(I1- xBrx)3 system with a range of bandgaps of 1.73, 1.79, 1.85, and 1.92 eV, power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 21.3%, 19.5%, 18.1%, and 16.2%, respectively, are attained. These results represent some of the highest PCEs reported for the corresponding bandgaps. Furthermore, integrating WBG perovskite with organic photovoltaics, an impressive PCE of over 24% for two-terminal perovskite/organic TSCs, with a record VOC of ≈ 2.2 V is achieved. This work establishes a foundation for addressing phase separation and inhomogeneous crystallization in Br-rich perovskite components, paving the way for the development of high-performance WBG PSCs and TSCs.

Pivotal Routes for Maximizing Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cell Performance: Photon Propagation Management and Carrier Kinetics Regulation

Semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) are ideal candidates for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and tandem solar cells (TSCs) owing to their tunable bandgap and high visible transparency. The best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ST-PSCs is close to 15% with an average visible transmittance of over 20%, which still lags far behind the PCE of normal opaque PSCs. This can be attributed to the poor light utilization efficiency (LUE) of ST-PSCs. Herein, the pivotal routes for maximizing LUE of ST-PSCs in terms of photon propagation management and carrier kinetics regulation are systematically rationalized. First, the fundamental theoretical analyses on optical processes and electronic properties are provided. Then, insights on photon propagation management measures and carrier kinetics regulation strategies are provided. Furthermore, a summary of the promising commercial application of ST-PSCs in BIPV and TSCs is provided. Finally, the main progress of ST-PSCs is briefly summarized, and the directions for the commercialization of ST-PSCs are proposed.

Potassium tetrafluoroborate-induced defect tolerance enables efficient wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskites play a crucial role for top cells in tandem solar cells (TSCs), which provides a promising avenue to boost the performance of widely used commercial solar cells. However, such WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show poor performance compared to that of ~1.6 eV bandgap PSCs due to high defects density and photo-instability, resulting in relatively large open-circuit voltage loss (V_loss). Herein, we introduce alkali pseudo-halide KBF₄ into the perovskite precursor solution for preparing less-defect WBG perovskite film. It is showed that the interstitial occupancy of K⁺ in the perovskite lattice and the suppression of recombination by BF₄^-, thereby inhibiting the ion migration and reducing the trap density. As a result, the champion WBG PSC (Energy gap (E_g), E_g = 1.74 eV) delivers a high open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.21 V and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.49%. This work provides new insight into the defect tolerance upon metal pseudo-halides doping in the WBG perovskite.

Photon management to reduce energy loss in perovskite solar cells

Despite the rapid development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) over the past few years, the conversion of solar energy into electricity is not efficient enough or cost-competitive yet. The principal energy loss in the conversion of solar energy to electricity fundamentally originates from the non-absorption of low-energy photons ascribed to Shockley-Queisser limits and thermalization losses of high-energy photons. Enhancing the light-harvesting efficiency of the perovskite photoactive layer by developing efficient photo management strategies with functional materials and arrays remains a long-standing challenge. Here, we briefly review the historical research trials and future research trends to overcome the fundamental loss mechanisms in PSCs, including upconversion, downconversion, scattering, tandem/graded structures, texturing, anti-reflection, and luminescent solar concentrators. We will deeply emphasize the availability and analyze the importance of a fine device structure, fluorescence efficiency, material proportion, and integration position for performance improvement. The unique energy level structure arising from the 4fn inner shell configuration of the trivalent rare-earth ions gives multifarious options for efficient light-harvesting by upconversion and downconversion. Tandem or graded PSCs by combining a series of subcells with varying bandgaps seek to rectify the spectral mismatch. Plasmonic nanostructures function as a secondary light source to augment the light-trapping within the perovskite layer and carrier transporting layer, enabling enhanced carrier generation. Texturing the interior using controllable micro/nanoarrays can realize light-matter interactions. Anti-reflective coatings on the top glass cover of the PSCs bring about better transmission and glare reduction. Photon concentration through perovskite-based luminescent solar concentrators offers a path to increase efficiency at reduced cost and plays a role in building-integrated photovoltaics. Distinct from other published reviews, we here systematically and hierarchically present all of the photon management strategies in PSCs by presenting the theoretical possibilities and summarizing the experimental results, expecting to inspire future research in the field of photovoltaics, phototransistors, photoelectrochemical sensors, photocatalysis, and especially light-emitting diodes. We further assess the overall possibilities of the strategies based on ultimate efficiency prospects, material requirements, and developmental outlook.