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Wieczorek A, Kuba AG, Sommerhäuser J, Caceres LN, Wolff CM, Siol S. Advancing high-throughput combinatorial aging studies of hybrid perovskite thin films via precise automated characterization methods and machine learning assisted analysis. J Mater Chem A Mater 2024; 12:7025-7035. [PMID: 38510372 PMCID: PMC10950304 DOI: 10.1039/d3ta07274f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
To optimize material stability, automated high-throughput workflows are of increasing interest. However, many of those workflows either employ synthesis techniques not suitable for large-area depositions or are carried out in ambient conditions, which limits the transferability of the results. While combinatorial approaches based on vapour-based depositions are inherently scalable, their potential for controlled stability assessments has yet to be exploited. Based on MAPbI3 thin films as a prototypical system, we demonstrate a combinatorial inert-gas workflow to study intrinsic materials degradation, closely resembling conditions in encapsulated devices. Specifically, we probe the stability of MAPbI3 thin films with varying residual PbI2 content. A comprehensive set of automated characterization techniques is used to investigate the structure and phase constitution of pristine and aged thin films. A custom-designed in situ UV-Vis aging setup is used for real-time photospectroscopy measurements of the material libraries under relevant aging conditions, such as heat or light-bias exposure. These measurements are used to gain insights into the degradation kinetics, which can be linked to intrinsic degradation processes such as autocatalytic decomposition. Despite scattering effects, which complicate the conventional interpretation of in situ UV-Vis results, we demonstrate how a machine learning model trained on the comprehensive characterization data before and after the aging process can link changes in the optical spectra to phase changes during aging. Consequently, this approach does not only enable semi-quantitative comparisons of material stability but also provides detailed insights into the underlying degradation processes which are otherwise mostly reported for investigations on single samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wieczorek
- Laboratory for Surface Science and Coating Technologies, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Switzerland
| | - Austin G Kuba
- Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaic and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory, EPFL -École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Jan Sommerhäuser
- Laboratory for Surface Science and Coating Technologies, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Switzerland
| | - Luis Nicklaus Caceres
- Laboratory for Surface Science and Coating Technologies, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Switzerland
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaic and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory, EPFL -École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Siol
- Laboratory for Surface Science and Coating Technologies, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Switzerland
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2
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Artuk K, Turkay D, Mensi MD, Steele JA, Jacobs DA, Othman M, Yu Chin X, Moon SJ, Tiwari AN, Hessler-Wyser A, Jeangros Q, Ballif C, Wolff CM. A Universal Perovskite/C60 Interface Modification via Atomic Layer Deposited Aluminum Oxide for Perovskite Solar Cells and Perovskite-Silicon Tandems. Adv Mater 2024:e2311745. [PMID: 38300183 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The primary performance limitation in inverted perovskite-based solar cells is the interface between the fullerene-based electron transport layers and the perovskite. Atomic layer deposited thin aluminum oxide (AlOX ) interlayers that reduce nonradiative recombination at the perovskite/C60 interface are developed, resulting in >60 millivolts improvement in open-circuit voltage and 1% absolute improvement in power conversion efficiency. Surface-sensitive characterizations indicate the presence of a thin, conformally deposited AlOx layer, functioning as a passivating contact. These interlayers work universally using different lead-halide-based absorbers with different compositions where the 1.55 electron volts bandgap single junction devices reach >23% power conversion efficiency. A reduction of metallic Pb0 is found and the compact layer prevents in- and egress of volatile species, synergistically improving the stability. AlOX -modified wide-bandgap perovskite absorbers as a top cell in a monolithic perovskite-silicon tandem enable a certified power conversion efficiency of 29.9% and open-circuit voltages above 1.92 volts for 1.17 square centimeters device area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerem Artuk
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Deniz Turkay
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Mounir D Mensi
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL-VS), Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC-XRDSAP), Rue de L'Industrie 17, Sion, 1951, Switzerland
| | - Julian A Steele
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel A Jacobs
- Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Mostafa Othman
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Xin Yu Chin
- Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Soo-Jin Moon
- Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Ayodhya N Tiwari
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, Duebendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Aïcha Hessler-Wyser
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Jeangros
- Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Ballif
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
- Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
| | - Christian M Wolff
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institute of Electrical and Microengineering (IEM), Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Rue de la Maladière 71b, Neuchâtel, 2002, Switzerland
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3
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Chin XY, Turkay D, Steele JA, Tabean S, Eswara S, Mensi M, Fiala P, Wolff CM, Paracchino A, Artuk K, Jacobs D, Guesnay Q, Sahli F, Andreatta G, Boccard M, Jeangros Q, Ballif C. Interface passivation for 31.25%-efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. Science 2023; 381:59-63. [PMID: 37410835 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Silicon solar cells are approaching their theoretical efficiency limit of 29%. This limitation can be exceeded with advanced device architectures, where two or more solar cells are stacked to improve the harvesting of solar energy. In this work, we devise a tandem device with a perovskite layer conformally coated on a silicon bottom cell featuring micrometric pyramids-the industry standard-to improve its photocurrent. Using an additive in the processing sequence, we regulate the perovskite crystallization process and alleviate recombination losses occurring at the perovskite top surface interfacing the electron-selective contact [buckminsterfullerene (C60)]. We demonstrate a device with an active area of 1.17 square centimeters, reaching a certified power conversion efficiency of 31.25%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu Chin
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Deniz Turkay
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Julian A Steele
- cMACS, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Saba Tabean
- Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics (AINA), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Materials Research and Technology Department, 41, Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
- University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de l'Université, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Santhana Eswara
- Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics (AINA), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Materials Research and Technology Department, 41, Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Mounir Mensi
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Peter Fiala
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Adriana Paracchino
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kerem Artuk
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Jacobs
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Guesnay
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Florent Sahli
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gaëlle Andreatta
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Boccard
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Jeangros
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Ballif
- Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering (IMT), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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4
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Dussouillez M, Moon SJ, Mensi M, Wolff CM, Liu Y, Yum JH, Kamino BA, Walter A, Sahli F, Lauber L, Christmann G, Sivula K, Jeangros Q, Ballif C, Nicolay S, Paracchino A. Understanding and Mitigating the Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells Based on a Nickel Oxide Hole Transport Material during Damp Heat Testing. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023. [PMID: 37255346 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of stable materials, processable on a large area, is a prerequisite for perovskite industrialization. Beyond the perovskite absorber itself, this should also guide the development of all other layers in the solar cell. In this regard, the use of NiOx as a hole transport material (HTM) offers several advantages, as it can be deposited with high throughput on large areas and on flat or textured surfaces via sputtering, a well-established industrial method. However, NiOx may trigger the degradation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) when exposed to environmental stressors. Already after 100 h of damp heat stressing, a strong fill factor (FF) loss appears in conjunction with a characteristic S-shaped J-V curve. By performing a wide range of analysis on cells and materials, completed by device simulation, the cause of the degradation is pinpointed and mitigation strategies are proposed. When NiOx is heated in an air-tight environment, its free charge carrier density drops, resulting in a band misalignment at the NiOx/perovskite interface and in the formation of a barrier impeding hole extraction. Adding an organic layer between the NiOx and the perovskite enables higher performances but not long-term thermal stability, for which reducing the NiOx thickness is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Dussouillez
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics, Institute of Electrical and Micro-Engineering (IEM), Rue de la Maladière 71b, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Soo-Jin Moon
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Mounir Mensi
- X-Ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Rue de l'Industrie 17, 1951 Sion, Switzerland
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics, Institute of Electrical and Micro-Engineering (IEM), Rue de la Maladière 71b, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Yongpeng Liu
- Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jun-Ho Yum
- Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Brett A Kamino
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud Walter
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Florent Sahli
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ludovic Lauber
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Kevin Sivula
- Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Christophe Ballif
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics, Institute of Electrical and Micro-Engineering (IEM), Rue de la Maladière 71b, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Nicolay
- CSEM PV-Center, Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Immeuble P2, Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Sherbrooke University, Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 0A5
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5
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Kurisinkal Pious J, Zwirner Y, Lai H, Olthof S, Jeangros Q, Gilshtein E, Kothandaraman RK, Artuk K, Wechsler P, Chen C, Wolff CM, Zhao D, Tiwari AN, Fu F. Revealing the Role of Tin Fluoride Additive in Narrow Bandgap Pb-Sn Perovskites for Highly Efficient Flexible All-Perovskite Tandem Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:10150-10157. [PMID: 36758226 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tin fluoride (SnF2) is an indispensable additive for high-efficiency Pb-Sn perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the spatial distribution of SnF2 in the perovskite absorber is seldom investigated while essential for a comprehensive understanding of the exact role of the SnF2 additive. Herein, we revealed the spatial distribution of the SnF2 additive and made structure-optoelectronic properties-flexible photovoltaic performance correlation. We observed the chemical transformation of SnF2 to a fluorinated oxy-phase on the Pb-Sn perovskite film surface due to its rapid oxidation. In addition, at the buried perovskite interface, we detected and visualized the accumulation of F- ions. We found that the photoluminescence quantum yield of Pb-Sn perovskite reached the highest value with 10 mol % SnF2 in the precursor solution. When integrating the optimized absorber in flexible devices, we obtained the flexible Pb-Sn perovskite narrow bandgap (1.24 eV) solar cells with an efficiency of 18.5% and demonstrated 23.1% efficient flexible four-terminal all-perovskite tandem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnpaul Kurisinkal Pious
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Yannick Zwirner
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Huagui Lai
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Selina Olthof
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstrasse 4-6, Cologne 50939, Germany
| | - Quentin Jeangros
- Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory, EPFL - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
- Sustainable Energy Center, Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), Jaquet-Droz 1, Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Evgeniia Gilshtein
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Radha K Kothandaraman
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Kerem Artuk
- Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory, EPFL - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Wechsler
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Cong Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Alternative Energy Materials & Devices, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory, EPFL - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
| | - Dewei Zhao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Alternative Energy Materials & Devices, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Ayodhya N Tiwari
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Fan Fu
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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6
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Zeiske S, Sandberg OJ, Zarrabi N, Wolff CM, Raoufi M, Peña-Camargo F, Gutierrez-Partida E, Meredith P, Stolterfoht M, Armin A. Static Disorder in Lead Halide Perovskites. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:7280-7285. [PMID: 35916775 PMCID: PMC9376950 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In crystalline and amorphous semiconductors, the temperature-dependent Urbach energy can be determined from the inverse slope of the logarithm of the absorption spectrum and reflects the static and dynamic energetic disorder. Using recent advances in the sensitivity of photocurrent spectroscopy methods, we elucidate the temperature-dependent Urbach energy in lead halide perovskites containing different numbers of cation components. We find Urbach energies at room temperature to be 13.0 ± 1.0, 13.2 ± 1.0, and 13.5 ± 1.0 meV for single, double, and triple cation perovskite. Static, temperature-independent contributions to the Urbach energy are found to be as low as 5.1 ± 0.5, 4.7 ± 0.3, and 3.3 ± 0.9 meV for the same systems. Our results suggest that, at a low temperature, the dominant static disorder in perovskites is derived from zero-point phonon energy rather than structural disorder. This is unusual for solution-processed semiconductors but broadens the potential application of perovskites further to quantum electronics and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Zeiske
- Sustainable
Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Oskar J. Sandberg
- Sustainable
Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Nasim Zarrabi
- Sustainable
Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Christian M. Wolff
- EPFL
STI IEM PV-LAB, Rue de la Maladière 71b, CH-2002 Neuchâtel 2, Switzerland
| | - Meysam Raoufi
- Soft
Matter Physics Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Francisco Peña-Camargo
- Soft
Matter Physics Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- Soft
Matter Physics Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Paul Meredith
- Sustainable
Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Soft
Matter Physics Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ardalan Armin
- Sustainable
Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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7
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Wolff CM, Canil L, Rehermann C, Linh NN, Zu F, Ralaiarisoa M, Caprioglio P, Fiedler L, Stolterfoht M, Kogikoski S, Bald I, Koch N, Unger EL, Dittrich T, Abate A, Neher D. Correction to Perfluorinated Self-Assembled Monolayers Enhance the Stability and Efficiency of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Nano 2020; 14:16156. [PMID: 33166445 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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8
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Stolterfoht M, Grischek M, Caprioglio P, Wolff CM, Gutierrez-Partida E, Peña-Camargo F, Rothhardt D, Zhang S, Raoufi M, Wolansky J, Abdi-Jalebi M, Stranks SD, Albrecht S, Kirchartz T, Neher D. How To Quantify the Efficiency Potential of Neat Perovskite Films: Perovskite Semiconductors with an Implied Efficiency Exceeding 28. Adv Mater 2020; 32:e2000080. [PMID: 32163652 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202000080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite photovoltaic (PV) cells have demonstrated power conversion efficiencies (PCE) that are close to those of monocrystalline silicon cells; however, in contrast to silicon PV, perovskites are not limited by Auger recombination under 1-sun illumination. Nevertheless, compared to GaAs and monocrystalline silicon PV, perovskite cells have significantly lower fill factors due to a combination of resistive and non-radiative recombination losses. This necessitates a deeper understanding of the underlying loss mechanisms and in particular the ideality factor of the cell. By measuring the intensity dependence of the external open-circuit voltage and the internal quasi-Fermi level splitting (QFLS), the transport resistance-free efficiency of the complete cell as well as the efficiency potential of any neat perovskite film with or without attached transport layers are quantified. Moreover, intensity-dependent QFLS measurements on different perovskite compositions allows for disentangling of the impact of the interfaces and the perovskite surface on the non-radiative fill factor and open-circuit voltage loss. It is found that potassium-passivated triple cation perovskite films stand out by their exceptionally high implied PCEs > 28%, which could be achieved with ideal transport layers. Finally, strategies are presented to reduce both the ideality factor and transport losses to push the efficiency to the thermodynamic limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Max Grischek
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Francisco Peña-Camargo
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Daniel Rothhardt
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Meysam Raoufi
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Jakob Wolansky
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Mojtaba Abdi-Jalebi
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Samuel D Stranks
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
- Faculty IV - Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, 10587, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchartz
- Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, 52425, Germany
- Faculty of Engineering and CENIDE, University of Duisburg-Essen, Carl-Benz-Str. 199, Duisburg, 47057, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
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9
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Perdigón-Toro L, Zhang H, Markina A, Yuan J, Hosseini SM, Wolff CM, Zuo G, Stolterfoht M, Zou Y, Gao F, Andrienko D, Shoaee S, Neher D. Barrierless Free Charge Generation in the High-Performance PM6:Y6 Bulk Heterojunction Non-Fullerene Solar Cell. Adv Mater 2020; 32:e1906763. [PMID: 31975446 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201906763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells are currently experiencing a second golden age thanks to the development of novel non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Surprisingly, some of these blends exhibit high efficiencies despite a low energy offset at the heterojunction. Herein, free charge generation in the high-performance blend of the donor polymer PM6 with the NFA Y6 is thoroughly investigated as a function of internal field, temperature and excitation energy. Results show that photocurrent generation is essentially barrierless with near-unity efficiency, regardless of excitation energy. Efficient charge separation is maintained over a wide temperature range, down to 100 K, despite the small driving force for charge generation. Studies on a blend with a low concentration of the NFA, measurements of the energetic disorder, and theoretical modeling suggest that CT state dissociation is assisted by the electrostatic interfacial field which for Y6 is large enough to compensate the Coulomb dissociation barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Perdigón-Toro
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Huotian Zhang
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Markina
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jun Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Seyed Mehrdad Hosseini
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Guangzheng Zuo
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Yingping Zou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Denis Andrienko
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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10
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Wolff CM, Canil L, Rehermann C, Ngoc Linh N, Zu F, Ralaiarisoa M, Caprioglio P, Fiedler L, Stolterfoht M, Kogikoski S, Bald I, Koch N, Unger EL, Dittrich T, Abate A, Neher D. Perfluorinated Self-Assembled Monolayers Enhance the Stability and Efficiency of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Nano 2020; 14:1445-1456. [PMID: 31909973 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b03268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells are among the most exciting photovoltaic systems as they combine low recombination losses, ease of fabrication, and high spectral tunability. The Achilles heel of this technology is the device stability due to the ionic nature of the perovskite crystal, rendering it highly hygroscopic, and the extensive diffusion of ions especially at increased temperatures. Herein, we demonstrate the application of a simple solution-processed perfluorinated self-assembled monolayer (p-SAM) that not only enhances the solar cell efficiency, but also improves the stability of the perovskite absorber and, in turn, the solar cell under increased temperature or humid conditions. The p-i-n-type perovskite devices employing these SAMs exhibited power conversion efficiencies surpassing 21%. Notably, the best performing devices are stable under standardized maximum power point operation at 85 °C in inert atmosphere (ISOS-L-2) for more than 250 h and exhibit superior humidity resilience, maintaining ∼95% device performance even if stored in humid air in ambient conditions over months (∼3000 h, ISOS-D-1). Our work, therefore, demonstrates a strategy towards efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with easily deposited functional interlayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | | | - Nguyen Ngoc Linh
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Maryline Ralaiarisoa
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Lukas Fiedler
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Sergio Kogikoski
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Ilko Bald
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Eva L Unger
- Department of Chemistry and NanoLund , Lund University , 221 00 Lund , Sweden
| | - Thomas Dittrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , Kekuléstraße 5 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Antonio Abate
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples Federico II , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Fuorigrotta, Naples , Italy
| | - Dieter Neher
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
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11
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Zu F, Schultz T, Wolff CM, Shin D, Frohloff L, Neher D, Amsalem P, Koch N. Position-locking of volatile reaction products by atmosphere and capping layers slows down photodecomposition of methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite. RSC Adv 2020; 10:17534-17542. [PMID: 35515637 PMCID: PMC9053590 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra03572f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable progress of metal halide perovskites in photovoltaics has led to the power conversion efficiency approaching 26%. However, practical applications of perovskite-based solar cells are challenged by the stability issues, of which the most critical one is photo-induced degradation. Bare CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films are known to decompose rapidly, with methylammonium and iodine as volatile species and residual solid PbI2 and metallic Pb, under vacuum under white light illumination, on the timescale of minutes. We find, in agreement with previous work, that the degradation is non-uniform and proceeds predominantly from the surface, and that illumination under N2 and ambient air (relative humidity 20%) does not induce substantial degradation even after several hours. Yet, in all cases the release of iodine from the perovskite surface is directly identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This goes in hand with a loss of organic cations and the formation of metallic Pb. When CH3NH3PbI3 films are covered with a few nm thick organic capping layer, either charge selective or non-selective, the rapid photodecomposition process under ultrahigh vacuum is reduced by more than one order of magnitude, and becomes similar in timescale to that under N2 or air. We conclude that the light-induced decomposition reaction of CH3NH3PbI3, leading to volatile methylammonium and iodine, is largely reversible as long as these products are restrained from leaving the surface. This is readily achieved by ambient atmospheric pressure, as well as a thin organic capping layer even under ultrahigh vacuum. In addition to explaining the impact of gas pressure on the stability of this perovskite, our results indicate that covalently “locking” the position of perovskite components at the surface or an interface should enhance the overall photostability. Gas pressure and capping layers under ultrahigh vacuum prevent methylammonium lead triiodide photo-degradation due to efficient back-reaction of volatile compounds.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Thorsten Schultz
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
| | - Christian M. Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie
- Universität Potsdam
- 14776 Potsdam
- Germany
| | - Dongguen Shin
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Lennart Frohloff
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie
- Universität Potsdam
- 14776 Potsdam
- Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
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12
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Wolff CM, Caprioglio P, Stolterfoht M, Neher D. Nonradiative Recombination in Perovskite Solar Cells: The Role of Interfaces. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1902762. [PMID: 31631441 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201902762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells combine high carrier mobilities with long carrier lifetimes and high radiative efficiencies. Despite this, full devices suffer from significant nonradiative recombination losses, limiting their VOC to values well below the Shockley-Queisser limit. Here, recent advances in understanding nonradiative recombination in perovskite solar cells from picoseconds to steady state are presented, with an emphasis on the interfaces between the perovskite absorber and the charge transport layers. Quantification of the quasi-Fermi level splitting in perovskite films with and without attached transport layers allows to identify the origin of nonradiative recombination, and to explain the VOC of operational devices. These measurements prove that in state-of-the-art solar cells, nonradiative recombination at the interfaces between the perovskite and the transport layers is more important than processes in the bulk or at grain boundaries. Optical pump-probe techniques give complementary access to the interfacial recombination pathways and provide quantitative information on transfer rates and recombination velocities. Promising optimization strategies are also highlighted, in particular in view of the role of energy level alignment and the importance of surface passivation. Recent record perovskite solar cells with low nonradiative losses are presented where interfacial recombination is effectively overcome-paving the way to the thermodynamic efficiency limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Kekuléstraße 5, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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13
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Zhang S, Hosseini SM, Gunder R, Petsiuk A, Caprioglio P, Wolff CM, Shoaee S, Meredith P, Schorr S, Unold T, Burn PL, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. The Role of Bulk and Interface Recombination in High-Efficiency Low-Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1901090. [PMID: 31166640 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite (RPP) solar cells have excellent environmental stability. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of RPP cells remains inferior to 3D perovskite-based cells. Herein, 2D (CH3 (CH2 )3 NH3 )2 (CH3 NH3 )n -1 Pbn I3 n +1 perovskite cells with different numbers of [PbI6 ]4- sheets (n = 2-4) are analyzed. Photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements show that nonradiative open-circuit voltage (VOC ) losses outweigh radiative losses in materials with n > 2. The n = 3 and n = 4 films exhibit a higher PLQY than the standard 3D methylammonium lead iodide perovskite although this is accompanied by increased interfacial recombination at the top perovskite/C60 interface. This tradeoff results in a similar PLQY in all devices, including the n = 2 system where the perovskite bulk dominates the recombination properties of the cell. In most cases the quasi-Fermi level splitting matches the device VOC within 20 meV, which indicates minimal recombination losses at the metal contacts. The results show that poor charge transport rather than exciton dissociation is the primary reason for the reduction in fill factor of the RPP devices. Optimized n = 4 RPP solar cells had PCEs of 13% with significant potential for further improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Seyed M Hosseini
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - René Gunder
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrei Petsiuk
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Kekuléstr. 5, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Paul Meredith
- Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Susan Schorr
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Unold
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul L Burn
- Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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14
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Würfel U, Perdigón-Toro L, Kurpiers J, Wolff CM, Caprioglio P, Rech JJ, Zhu J, Zhan X, You W, Shoaee S, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. Recombination between Photogenerated and Electrode-Induced Charges Dominates the Fill Factor Losses in Optimized Organic Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:3473-3480. [PMID: 31146523 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b01175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Charge extraction in organic solar cells (OSCs) is commonly believed to be limited by bimolecular recombination of photogenerated charges. However, the fill factor of OSCs is usually almost entirely governed by recombination processes that scale with the first order of the light intensity. This linear loss was often interpreted to be a consequence of geminate or trap-assisted recombination. Numerical simulations show that this linear dependence is a direct consequence of the large amount of excess dark charge near the contact. The first-order losses increase with decreasing mobility of minority carriers, and we discuss the impact of several material and device parameters on this loss mechanism. This work highlights that OSCs are especially vulnerable to injected charges as a result of their poor charge transport properties. This implies that dark charges need to be better accounted for when interpreting electro-optical measurements and charge collection based on simple figures of merit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uli Würfel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE , Heidenhofstr. 2 , 79110 Freiburg , Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center FMF , Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg , Stefan-Meier-Str. 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón-Toro
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Jona Kurpiers
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells , Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin , Kekuléstr. 5 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Jeromy James Rech
- Department of Chemistry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599-3290 , United States
| | - Jingshuai Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Wei You
- Department of Chemistry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599-3290 , United States
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
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15
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Zu F, Wolff CM, Ralaiarisoa M, Amsalem P, Neher D, Koch N. Unraveling the Electronic Properties of Lead Halide Perovskites with Surface Photovoltage in Photoemission Studies. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:21578-21583. [PMID: 31124647 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The tremendous success of metal-halide perovskites, especially in the field of photovoltaics, has triggered a substantial number of studies in understanding their optoelectronic properties. However, consensus regarding the electronic properties of these perovskites is lacking due to a huge scatter in the reported key parameters, such as work function (Φ) and valence band maximum (VBM) values. Here, we demonstrate that the surface photovoltage (SPV) is a key phenomenon occurring at the perovskite surfaces that feature a non-negligible density of surface states, which is more the rule than an exception for most materials under study. With ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and Kelvin probe, we evidence that even minute UV photon fluxes (500 times lower than that used in typical UPS experiments) are sufficient to induce SPV and shift the perovskite Φ and VBM by several 100 meV compared to dark. By combining UV and visible light, we establish flat band conditions (i.e., compensate the surface-state-induced surface band bending) at the surface of four important perovskites, and find that all are p-type in the bulk, despite a pronounced n-type surface character in the dark. The present findings highlight that SPV effects must be considered in all surface studies to fully understand perovskites' photophysical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Maryline Ralaiarisoa
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
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16
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Kegelmann L, Tockhorn P, Wolff CM, Márquez JA, Caicedo-Dávila S, Korte L, Unold T, Lövenich W, Neher D, Rech B, Albrecht S. Mixtures of Dopant-Free Spiro-OMeTAD and Water-Free PEDOT as a Passivating Hole Contact in Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:9172-9181. [PMID: 30741517 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b01332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Doped spiro-OMeTAD at present is the most commonly used hole transport material (HTM) in n-i-p-type perovskite solar cells, enabling high efficiencies around 22%. However, the required dopants were shown to induce nonradiative recombination of charge carriers and foster degradation of the solar cell. Here, in a novel approach, highly conductive and inexpensive water-free poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is used to replace these dopants. The resulting spiro-OMeTAD/PEDOT (SpiDOT) mixed films achieve higher lateral conductivities than layers of doped spiro-OMeTAD. Furthermore, combined transient and steady-state photoluminescence studies reveal a passivating effect of PEDOT, suppressing nonradiative recombination losses at the perovskite/HTM interface. This enables excellent quasi-Fermi level splitting values of up to 1.24 eV in perovskite/SpiDOT layer stacks and high open-circuit voltages ( VOC) up to 1.19 V in complete solar cells. Increasing the amount of dopant-free spiro-OMeTAD in SpiDOT layers is shown to enhance hole extraction and thereby improves the fill factor in solar cells. As a consequence, stabilized efficiencies up to 18.7% are realized, exceeding cells with doped spiro-OMeTAD as a HTM in this study. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, these results mark the lowest nonradiative recombination loss in the VOC (140 mV with respect to the Shockley-Queisser limit) and highest efficiency reported so far for perovskite solar cells using PEDOT as a HTM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Wilfried Lövenich
- Business Line Electronic Chemicals (HEB) , Heraeus Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG , 51368 Leverkusen , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | - Steve Albrecht
- Faculty IV-Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Technical University Berlin , 10587 Berlin , Germany
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17
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Zu F, Amsalem P, Egger DA, Wang R, Wolff CM, Fang H, Loi MA, Neher D, Kronik L, Duhm S, Koch N. Constructing the Electronic Structure of CH 3NH 3PbI 3 and CH 3NH 3PbBr 3 Perovskite Thin Films from Single-Crystal Band Structure Measurements. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:601-609. [PMID: 30642163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Photovoltaic cells based on halide perovskites, possessing remarkably high power conversion efficiencies have been reported. To push the development of such devices further, a comprehensive and reliable understanding of their electronic properties is essential but presently not available. To provide a solid foundation for understanding the electronic properties of polycrystalline thin films, we employ single-crystal band structure data from angle-resolved photoemission measurements. For two prototypical perovskites (CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3NH3PbI3), we reveal the band dispersion in two high-symmetry directions and identify the global valence band maxima. With these benchmark data, we construct "standard" photoemission spectra from polycrystalline thin film samples and resolve challenges discussed in the literature for determining the valence band onset with high reliability. Within the framework laid out here, the consistency of relating the energy level alignment in perovskite-based photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices with their functional parameters is substantially enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - David A Egger
- Institute of Theoretical Physics , University of Regensburg , 93040 Regensburg , Germany
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovoth 76100 , Israel
| | - Rongbin Wang
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Honghua Fang
- Photophysics & OptoElectronics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , Groningen 9747 AG , The Netherlands
| | - Maria Antonietta Loi
- Photophysics & OptoElectronics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , Groningen 9747 AG , The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Leeor Kronik
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovoth 76100 , Israel
| | - Steffen Duhm
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
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18
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Love JA, Feuerstein M, Wolff CM, Facchetti A, Neher D. Lead Halide Perovskites as Charge Generation Layers for Electron Mobility Measurement in Organic Semiconductors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:42011-42019. [PMID: 29083145 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b10361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid lead halide perovskites are introduced as charge generation layers (CGLs) for the accurate determination of electron mobilities in thin organic semiconductors. Such hybrid perovskites have become a widely studied photovoltaic material in their own right, for their high efficiencies, ease of processing from solution, strong absorption, and efficient photogeneration of charge. Time-of-flight (ToF) measurements on bilayer samples consisting of the perovskite CGL and an organic semiconductor layer of different thickness are shown to be determined by the carrier motion through the organic material, consistent with the much higher charge carrier mobility in the perovskite. Together with the efficient photon-to-electron conversion in the perovskite, this high mobility imbalance enables electron-only mobility measurement on relatively thin application-relevant organic films, which would not be possible with traditional ToF measurements. This architecture enables electron-selective mobility measurements in single components as well as bulk-heterojunction films as demonstrated in the prototypical polymer/fullerene blends. To further demonstrate the potential of this approach, electron mobilities were measured as a function of electric field and temperature in an only 127 nm thick layer of a prototypical electron-transporting perylene diimide-based polymer, and found to be consistent with an exponential trap distribution of ca. 60 meV. Our study furthermore highlights the importance of high mobility charge transporting layers when designing perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Love
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Markus Feuerstein
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Antonio Facchetti
- Department of Chemistry and The Materials Research Center, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
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19
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Wolff CM, Zu F, Paulke A, Toro LP, Koch N, Neher D. Reduced Interface-Mediated Recombination for High Open-Circuit Voltages in CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2017; 29:1700159. [PMID: 28547858 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201700159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells with all-organic transport layers exhibit efficiencies rivaling their counterparts that employ inorganic transport layers, while avoiding high-temperature processing. Herein, it is investigated how the choice of the fullerene derivative employed in the electron-transporting layer of inverted perovskite cells affects the open-circuit voltage (VOC ). It is shown that nonradiative recombination mediated by the electron-transporting layer is the limiting factor for the VOC in the cells. By inserting an ultrathin layer of an insulating polymer between the active CH3 NH3 PbI3 perovskite and the fullerene, an external radiative efficiency of up to 0.3%, a VOC as high as 1.16 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 19.4% are realized. The results show that the reduction of nonradiative recombination due to charge-blocking at the perovskite/organic interface is more important than proper level alignment in the search for ideal selective contacts toward high VOC and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 6, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Paulke
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón Toro
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 6, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
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20
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Kegelmann L, Wolff CM, Awino C, Lang F, Unger EL, Korte L, Dittrich T, Neher D, Rech B, Albrecht S. It Takes Two to Tango-Double-Layer Selective Contacts in Perovskite Solar Cells for Improved Device Performance and Reduced Hysteresis. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:17245-17255. [PMID: 28436227 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b00900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Solar cells made from inorganic-organic perovskites have gradually approached market requirements as their efficiency and stability have improved tremendously in recent years. Planar low-temperature processed perovskite solar cells are advantageous for possible large-scale production but are more prone to exhibiting photocurrent hysteresis, especially in the regular n-i-p structure. Here, a systematic characterization of different electron selective contacts with a variety of chemical and electrical properties in planar n-i-p devices processed below 180 °C is presented. The inorganic metal oxides TiO2 and SnO2, the organic fullerene derivatives C60, PCBM, and ICMA, as well as double-layers with a metal oxide/PCBM structure are used as electron transport materials (ETMs). Perovskite layers deposited atop the different ETMs with the herein applied fabrication method show a similar morphology according to scanning electron microscopy. Further, surface photovoltage spectroscopy measurements indicate comparable perovskite absorber qualities on all ETMs, except TiO2, which shows a more prominent influence of defect states. Transient photoluminescence studies together with current-voltage scans over a broad range of scan speeds reveal faster charge extraction, less pronounced hysteresis effects, and higher efficiencies for devices with fullerene compared to those with metal oxide ETMs. Beyond this, only double-layer ETM structures substantially diminish hysteresis effects for all performed scan speeds and strongly enhance the power conversion efficiency up to a champion stabilized value of 18.0%. The results indicate reduced recombination losses for a double-layer TiO2/PCBM contact design: First, a reduction of shunt paths through the fullerene to the ITO layer. Second, an improved hole blocking by the wide band gap metal oxide. Third, decreased transport losses due to an energetically more favorable contact, as implied by photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The herein demonstrated improvements of multilayer selective contacts may serve as a general design guideline for perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | | | | | - Eva L Unger
- Department of Chemistry and NanoLund, Lund University , Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | | | | | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Potsdam 14476, Germany
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21
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Goltzené F, Skalski M, Wolff CM, Meyer D, Mager-Heckel AM, Darribère T, Remy P. Heterotopic expression of the Xl-Fli transcription factor during Xenopus embryogenesis: modification of cell adhesion and engagement in the apoptotic pathway. Exp Cell Res 2000; 260:233-47. [PMID: 11035918 DOI: 10.1006/excr.2000.5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the Xenopus laevis embryo, the overexpression of the Xl-FLI protein, a transcription factor of the ETS family, provokes severe developmental anomalies, which affect anteroposterior and dorsoventral polarities, optic cup formation, head cartilage morphogenesis, and erythrocyte differentiation. It has been proposed that these effects could be correlated to modifications of cell adhesion properties and/or to an increased engagement of cells in the apoptotic pathway during early development (Remy et al., Int. J. Dev. Biol. 40, 577-589, 1996). To address these questions, we have first analyzed the behavior of cells overexpressing the protein in both aggregation and adhesion assays. We observe perturbations of cell-cell interactions as well as perturbations of cell adhesion and spreading on fibronectin and extracellular matrix (ECM). Second, we have analyzed apoptosis of cells overexpressing the Xl-FLI protein, by testing DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity and by performing TUNEL assay. We show that Xl-Fli overexpression results in the appearance of hallmarks of apoptosis, including exclusion of cells from the interior of the embryo, internucleosomal fragmentation of DNA and dose-dependent induction of caspase-3, resulting in the hydrolysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, a dominant-negative mutation of BMPs receptors decreases the effects of Xl-Fli overexpression, suggesting that a modification of the BMP signalling could be responsible for increased apoptosis. The latter appears to affect predominantly ventral and ventrolateral regions of the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Goltzené
- FRE 2168 du CNRS "MMDCD,", Institut de Physiologie et Chimie Biologique, 21 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg-cedex, 67084, France
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22
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Nguyen VK, Leclerc N, Wolff CM, Kennel P, Fonteneau P, Deyes R, Warter JM, Poindron P. Protection of immunoreactivity of dry immobilized proteins on microtitration plates in ELISA: application for detection of autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis. J Biotechnol 1999; 72:115-25. [PMID: 10406102 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1656(99)00099-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We show the ability of the BSA-trehalose film to convert normally fragile proteins such as mouse monoclonal antibody to the Alzheimer precursor protein A4 (APP695) and cell line TE671 acetylcholine receptor (AChRTE671) into a stable reagent, after its immobilization on microtitration plates. The remarkable property of the dry immobilized proteins are their stability under prolonged exposure to temperatures as high as 50 degrees C. Using the AChRTE671, the proposed method was applied for the measurement of anti-AChR autoantibodies in Myasthenia gravis by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test was shown to be specific and able to detect anti-AChR autoantibodies at concentrations as low as 3 nM. Using the same AchRTE671 as antigen, the results of examination of 34 serum samples for detection of anti-AChR autoantibodies by ELISA were compared with those of the conventional radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIA). It was concluded that ELISA is another useful method for the diagnosis of M. gravis. The ELISA method offers a rapid, simple, safe and inexpensive means for mass screening of M. gravis.
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23
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Mager AM, Grapin-Botton A, Ladjali K, Meyer D, Wolff CM, Stiegler P, Bonnin MA, Remy P. The avian fli gene is specifically expressed during embryogenesis in a subset of neural crest cells giving rise to mesenchyme. Int J Dev Biol 1998; 42:561-72. [PMID: 9694627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The ets-family of transcription factors is involved in the development of endothelial and hematopoietic cells. Among these genes, fliwas shown to be responsible for erythroblastomas and Ewing's sarcomas. Its involvement in Ewing's sarcoma, a putative neurectodermal tumor, as well as the in situ hybridization studies performed in mice and Xenopus suggested a role in neural crest development. We cloned quail fli cDNA in order to analyze in more detail its expression in neural crest cells, which have been extensively studied in avian species. Fli gene maps on chicken chromosome 1 to band q31->q33. Two RNAs are transcribed, most likely arising from two different promoters. The analysis of its expression in neural crest cells reveals that it is expressed rather late, when the neural crest cells reach their target. Among the various lineages derived from the crest, it is restricted to the mesenchymal one. It is maintained at later stages in the cartilage of neural crest but also of mesodermal origin. In addition, fli is expressed in several mesoderm-derived cells: endothelial cells as well as intermediate and splanchnopleural mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Mager
- UPR 9005 du CNRS MMDCD, Institut de Physiologie et Chimie Biologique, Strasbourg, France
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24
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Meyer D, Wolff CM, Stiegler P, Sénan F, Befort N, Befort JJ, Remy P. Xl-fli, the Xenopus homologue of the fli-1 gene, is expressed during embryogenesis in a restricted pattern evocative of neural crest cell distribution. Mech Dev 1993; 44:109-21. [PMID: 8155576 DOI: 10.1016/0925-4773(93)90061-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The Xenopus laevis fli cDNA, belonging to the ets family of transcription factors, was isolated from a library prepared from unfertilized eggs. It encodes a polypeptide with extensive homology to murine and human Fli proteins. The long 3'-untranslated region contains five nuclear polyadenylation signals and three cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, as well as many A/T rich elements. Two polyadenylated transcripts appear at the early neurula and accumulate up to the tadpole stage. In situ hybridization reveals an expression in territories invaded by neural crest cells. In the head region, fli is expressed in the peri-ocular zone, in the branchial buds and at the level of the brain floor. In the trunk, a metamerized expression is detected in the dorsum. At a lower level, the tailbud and the peri-cardiac region also appear positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Meyer
- UPR du CNRS N. 9005 Mécanismes Moléculaires, Division Cellulaire et du Développement, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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25
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Stiegler P, Wolff CM, Meyer D, Sénan F, Durliat M, Hourdry J, Befort N, Remy P. The c-ets-1 proto-oncogenes in Xenopus laevis: expression during oogenesis and embryogenesis. Mech Dev 1993; 41:163-74. [PMID: 8518193 DOI: 10.1016/0925-4773(93)90046-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported the cloning and sequencing of two cDNAs derived from the Xenopus laevis ets-1 gene (Stiegler et al., 1990). The Xl-ets-1a cDNA encodes a polypeptide highly homologous to known ets-1 proteins. The 3'-UTR contains two AATAAA polyadenylation signals together with three copies of the TTTTTAT sequence thought to confer a maturation-specific polyadenylation and implicated in the deadenylation of dormant mRNAs. Several transcripts with maternal characteristics were detected in oogenesis and early embryogenesis. A marked augmentation of the major transcript in the poly(A)+ fraction was detected at fertilization. Ets-1 transcripts were observed at constant levels during the cleavage stages but decreased abruptly at gastrulation, to reappear from neurulation to late embryogenesis. The possible contribution of 3'-UTR sequence elements to this behavior is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Stiegler
- UPR Mécanismes Moléculaires, Division Cellulaire et du Développement, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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26
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Abstract
An immobilized enzyme electrode for continuous creatinine determination in blood serum is described. The enzymes creatinine amidohydrolase, creatine amidinohydrolase, and sarcosine oxidase are coimmobilized to the surface of the polypropylene membrane of a Clark-type electrode responsive to oxygen. The immobilized enzymes catalyze the decomposition of creatinine with the consumption of oxygen and thus permit the creatinine measurement. The whole assay takes less than 1 min. Effects of pH and temperature on electrode response are also described. The proposed technique offers a rapid, simple, and inexpensive means to determine creatinine in blood serum within the normal and abnormal ranges. The repeatability of the creatine determination in serum is 2.5% (relative standard deviation), and the detection limit is 3 x 10(-6) mol L-1. The results obtained by this method were compared to those obtained with the Technicon AutoAnalyzer SMAC system based on the Jaffé reaction; the correlation factor between the two methods was found to be r = 0.9997.
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Affiliation(s)
- V K Nguyen
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Electrochimie, Unité associée au CNRS No. 405, Ecole des Hautes Etudes des Industries Chimiques de Strasbourg, France
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Stiegler P, Wolff CM, Baltzinger M, Hirtzlin J, Senan F, Meyer D, Ghysdael J, Stéhelin D, Befort N, Remy P. Characterization of Xenopus laevis cDNA clones of the c-ets-1 proto-oncogene. Nucleic Acids Res 1990; 18:5298. [PMID: 2205841 PMCID: PMC332171 DOI: 10.1093/nar/18.17.5298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- P Stiegler
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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28
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Wolff CM, Stiegler P, Baltzinger M, Meyer D, Ghysdael J, Stéhelin D, Befort N, Remy P. Isolation of two different c-ets-2 proto-oncogenes in Xenopus laevis. Nucleic Acids Res 1990; 18:4603-4. [PMID: 2201951 PMCID: PMC331296 DOI: 10.1093/nar/18.15.4603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C M Wolff
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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29
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Orfanoudakis G, Gilson G, Wolff CM, Ebel JP, Befort N, Remy P. Repair of acetyl-aminofluorene modified pBR322 DNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes and eggs; effect of diadenosine tetraphosphate. Biochimie 1990; 72:271-8. [PMID: 2116915 DOI: 10.1016/0300-9084(90)90083-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Using Xenopus laevis oocytes and unfertilized eggs, we have developed a system which allows the study of DNA repair upon microinjection of pBR 322 DNA which has been previously modified in vitro by N-acetyl-aminofluorene, under controlled conditions. In unfertilized eggs, an efficient repair of pBR-18AAF DNA takes place, leading to a restoration of the transforming activity of the plasmid DNA towards Escherichia coli. The repaired DNA is even efficiently replicated, the egg being "activated" by the microinjection. In the oocyte, a partial repair is observed as shown by the incorporation of labelled dCTP in the modified plasmid DNA, even in the presence of aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha. However, the repair appears to be very limited, since it does not restore the transforming activity of the modified plasmid DNA. This inefficient repair in the oocyte may be due to the rapid packaging of foreign DNA into a minichromosome and/or to a very low level of DNA polymerase beta. This system was used to study the effect of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) on DNA repair. Ap4A seems not to interfere with repair processes in the oocyte, but significantly inhibits the replication following the repair of AAF-modified plasmid DNA in unfertilized eggs. These results suggest that Ap4A could be involved in switching off the replication machinery when DNA is badly damaged, thus helping to avoid the perpetuation of DNA modifications in the daughter cells. This hypothesis is consistent with many previous reports on the accumulation of dinucleoside polyphosphates under stress conditions, which are known to result in modification of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Orfanoudakis
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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30
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Meyer D, Moris G, Wolff CM, Befort N, Remy P. Significance of dinucleoside tetraphosphate production by cultured tumor cells exposed to the presence of ethanol. Biochimie 1990; 72:57-64. [PMID: 2160288 DOI: 10.1016/0300-9084(90)90173-e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The use of 30 to 50% ethanol solutions to extract the nucleotides from HTC and A-459 cells results in dinucleoside tetraphosphate (Ap4X) levels 3-30-fold as high as those obtained by 5% classical trichloracetic acid extraction, while ATP levels are identical in both cases. The amplification factor varies with the percentage of ethanol and duration of contact between the cells and the extraction mixture. It remains constant for the HTC cells during cell growth, but exhibits a maximum for the A-459 cells towards the end of the exponential growth period. The incorporation of radioactivity in Ap4X when [alpha-32P]ATP is added to the extraction mixture suggests an Ap4X neosynthesis in the presence of ethanol. The results carried out in the presence of pyrophosphate, EDTA and zinc acetate strongly suggest that aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases could be responsible for the increase in Ap4A content with ethanol treatment. Nevertheless, the effect of ethanol is probably not the result of an activation of these enzymes, but rather, as already suggested by earlier results in our laboratory, the result of a fast inactivation of the degradation enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Meyer
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg, France
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Lazarchick J, Wolff CM, Pepkowitz SH, Kizer J, Romein LA. Factor V inhibitor associated with immune complex formation. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1986; 110:448-51. [PMID: 3754431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A 72-year-old man was noted, shortly after surgery, to have a bleeding diathesis secondary to the development of a high-titer anti-factor V inhibitor. We documented the presence of factor V:anti-factor V IgG immune complexes and their disappearance following a short course of steroid therapy.
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Perakis N, Wolff CM. Kinetic approach for the enzymic determination of creatinine. Clin Chem 1984; 30:1792-6. [PMID: 6488523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
By exploiting the kinetics of NADH consumption in the enzyme system creatinine amidohydrolase + creatine kinase + pyruvate kinase + lactate dehydrogenase, one can determine creatinine in serum in the range of 1 to 90 mg/L. By using the conditions defined here, this determination can be made with a single measurement of the rate of disappearance of NADH. The analytical rate measurement is made at a fixed time (2 min) after the sample is introduced into the enzyme solution. For this fixed time, the interferences of creatine and pyruvate are eliminated. Results so obtained for creatinine in human blood serum samples correlated well (r = 0.98) with those obtained by the classical Jaffé-reaction method. Run-to-run reproducibility (CV) was 3%, and the limit of detection was 1 mg/L.
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